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THE CRUISE OF THE PHCEBE 






THE BUSINESS VENTURE SERIES 

The 

Cruise of the Phoebe 

A Story of Lobster Buying on the 
Eastern Coast 

By 

JAMES OTIS HxJW 

AUTHOR OF 

“ Minute Boys of Green Mountains,” “ Minute Boys of Long Island,” 
“ Boys of ’98,” “ Boys of Fort Schuyler,” etc. 

Illustrated by 
J. W. F. KENNEDY 



BOSTON 

DANA ESTES AND COMPANY 
PUBLISHERS 




LIBHARY of congress' 
IwoCuoies 

AU6 ^211908 

Ooiij>*'n£l»< titW? 

. 1,0 . 1 0 ^ • 

CLAS»’ Me. ii>^. 

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i COKY a, 

Jm I I T 


Copyright^ igo8 

By Dana Estes & Company 


All rights reserved 



COLONIAL PRESS 

EUctrotyPed and Printed by C. H. Simonds &* Co. 
Boston, U.S.A. 



CONTENTS 


CHAPTER 

I. The Scheme 

II. The Passenger 

III. The New “ Hand ” . 

IV. “ Easy Money . . 

V. Mr. Barnes’ Trick 

VI. Disabled . . . . 

VII. Tommy’s Scheme 

VIII. Mr. Barnes 

IX. An Official Visit . 

X. Surprising Mr. Barnes 

XI. Towing . . . . 

XII. A Long Pull . 

XIII. Settling Accounts . 

XIV. Aground . . . . 

XV. A Friendly Enemy 

XVI. The Pursuer . 

XVII. A Warning 

XVIII. The Agreement 


FAGB 

II 

31 

51 

72 

92 

II 2 

133 

153 

173 

192 

213 

233 

254 

275 

295 

316 

336 

355 



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LIST OF ILLUSTRATIONS 


PAGB 

“ The serious work of the day was begun ” (See p. 

267) Frontispiece 

“ ‘ Have you gone adrift, kid ? * ” 54 y 

" Dick . . . led the invalid across the deck to the 

PIER ” 94 ^ 

“ * Ahoy in the dory ! Pull in this way, will yer ? ’ ” 136 ^ 

“‘We sure did get into a scrape when we took 

that twenty dollars * 143^ 

We’re not in the smugglin’ business, nor don’t 

INTEND TO TAKE ANY PART IN IT ’ ” . . . . ^59 

“ Leaning out of the pilot-house, he gave his com- 
mands IN A PEREMPTORY TONE ” 233 

“ Three more dories . . . each loaded deep with 

367^ 


LOBSTERS 




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THE CRUISE OF THE PHCEBE 

CHAPTER I 

THE SCHEME 

Two hundred an’ fifty dollars is a big lot of 
money,” Richard MarshalP said decisively, looking 
at Ezra Upton as if expecting that young gentleman 
would contradict him. 

“ I know it is; but this is a big scheme, big enough 
to call for four or five times as much money as Fm 
needin’.” 

“ What’s to hinder me from goin’ into the specu- 
lation alone, without givin’ you half of what my 
money will earn? ” and Dick laughed, as if believing 
he had suggested a possibility that Ezra could not 
guard against. 

“ There are a good many reasons, an’ the first is 
that you don’t know anything about buyin’ lobsters 
for the market — couldn’t tell a joe from a count.” 

“What’s a joe?” 

“ A lobster that has just shed his shell, or one 
whose new coat hasn’t grown hard. That kind ain’t 
worth much of anything; but there are plenty of 
fishermen along the coast who’d run ’em off on a 
green hand, an’ your two hundred an’ fifty dollars 
would look pretty sick by the time you’d taken in a 
thousand or two of such truck.” 


II 


12 THE CRUISE OF THE PHCEBE 


“What’s a count?” 

“ A lobster ten an’ a half inches long, that hasn’t 
been chewed up any. You might say a count was 
one that would fetch the market price.” 

“ I could hire somebody who was posted in the 
business, an’ then it wouldn’t be a case of givin’ you 
half the profits,” and again Dick looked wise, whereat 
Ezra laughed heartily, as he said ; 

“If you’re goin’ into the business of buyin’ lob- 
sters with only two hundred an’ fifty dollars, you 
couldn’t afford to hire much of a fellow, an’ would 
stand to lose the whole capital in a couple of trips. 
Then again, you haven’t got a smack.” 

“ You’re countin’ on hirin’ ’Squire Merrill’s 
Phoebe, an’ I can do the same.” 

“ Not much you can’t, till after I’ve made a big 
try at gettin’ a partner. The ’Squire has promised 
to hold the trade open for me four weeks, an’ I’m 
allowin’ I can find somebody who’ll jump at the 
chance before that time has gone by. I’d rather 
have you for a partner, Dick. We’ve always been 
good friends, an’ I know you’ll do a full share of the 
work, which is a big part of the business, for if we go 
into buyin’ lobsters alongshore between here an’ the 
St. Croix river, it’ll be a case of humpin’ all the time 
till we’ve made quite a bunch of money. Your 
father will lend us the cash, if we show a business 
plan, an’ even if you don’t stay in the trade, it’ll be 
the jolliest kind of a vacation.” 

Dick ceased trying to appear wise. He began to 
understand that Ezra had not only mapped out his 
scheme thoroughly well, but had guarded against the 


THE CRUISE OF THE PHCEBE 13 

possibility that any one to whom he imparted the se- 
cret could take advantage of it without his sharing 
in the enterprise. 

Never before could Dick remember that a lobster 
smack had been lying idle in Westbay. Those men 
who were in the business of buying lobsters from the 
fishermen living alongshore, and selling them to the 
wholesale dealers, had bought or built their own 
craft; but here there was an opportunity to hire at a 
reasonable figure a seaworthy boat equipped with a 
13-horse-power gasoline engine, and in fairly good 
repair. Ezra had secured an option on the vessel; 
he was a good fisherman, and for the three years 
since his father died, had supported his mother by 
lobster catching, therefore it was safe to assume he 
knew the tricks of the trade fairly well. 

“ S’pose we put up the scheme to father, an’ find 
out what he thinks about it? ” Dick suggested after 
a brief time of thought. “ You know I haven’t 
got two hundred an’ fifty cents, an’ if we make the 
venture he’s the one who must lend us the money.” 

“ That’s what I counted on; but it was a case of 
findin’ out if you wanted to go into the scheme.” 

“ I’m ready for it if father thinks there’s a chance 
for him to get his money back, at the same time that 
we make a profit.” 

Profit I Of course we can make money out of 
it, unless we are fools who don’t know a joe from 
a lump of coal. If two boys like us, both about 
fifteen years old, haven’t got sense enough to buy 
lobsters at a price that will bring in a profit when 
we sell ’em to the wholesale dealers, it’s time you 


14 THE CRUISE OF THE PHCEBE 

gave up all idea of goin’ to college, an’ I went back 
to the Westbay school. Come on, we’ll explain the 
whole thing to your father, an’ if he thinks it won’t 
pay you to put up the money, I’ll hunt ’round for 
another partner.” 

Fortunately for the success of Ezra’s scheme, or 
so it seemed at the time, Dick’s father, senior part- 
ner of the firm of Marshall & Jordan, dealers in 
marine hardware and equipment, was at leisure when 
the boys entered^ his office, and quite willing to 
listen as his son requested. 

“ Ezra has got a scheme that he believes a good 
one, an’ we want to know what you think about it, 
sir? ” 

Mr. Marshall swung around in his chair and 
looked questioningly at the young lobster catcher, 
who said in a business-like tone: 

“ ’Squire Merrill has given an agreement that 
he’ll let the Phoebe to me, if I use her in lobster 
buyin’ along the coast, for one-quarter of the profits, 
an’ here is the writin’ he made.” 

“ So you are thinking of going into the whole- 
sale business, eh?” Mr. Marshall said with a smile 
as he took the paper Ezra handed him, but did not 
look at it. 

“ That’s what I want to do, sir; but first I’ve got 
to find a partner who can put in two hundred an’ 
fifty dollars.” 

“ A small amount for the kind of business, I 
should say.” 

“ So it is, sir; but that’s what I counted we could 
get along with as a starter, an’ if we’re careful it 


THE CRUISE OF THE PHCEBE 15 

ought’er grow big mighty fast. Eve asked Dick to 
go in with me, if you’ll lend us the cash, an’ you 
shan’t lose a cent of it, for I’ll find the money in 
my traps, if the business goes wrong.” 

“ You have been taking care of the family since 
your father died, eh ? ” 

“ Yes, sir.” 

“ And if you find a chance to start in as a dealer 
it will be necessary for you to draw from the con- 
cern, providing you succeed in forming one, as much 
money as will pay the expenses of your family.” 

“ I won’t draw a cent for three months. I’ve 
saved fifty dollars, an’, with what mother earns, 
that’ll keep the house goin’ twelve weeks,” Ezra said 
stoutly, and Mr. Marshall added with a laugh: 

“ So you have been getting ready for your scheme 
quite a while, eh?” 

“ I’ve had it in mind since last fall, when Cap’en 
Hatch died, an’ the Phoebe was laid up.” 

“The smack is for sale, isn’t she?” 

“ Yes sir; the ’Squire asks eleven hundred dollars, 
an’ my biggest fear is that he’ll find some one to 
buy her before I can get started.” 

“If he can get a hard-working lad like you to 
run her, giving him one-quarter of the profits, he 
would be foolish to part with the boat. Now let 
me have a better understanding of your scheme. 
Tell me just what you propose, and explain how 
I shall be the gainer by advancing the money you 
need.” 

“ I hadn’t figgered out the last part of it, sir, ex- 
cept that you’d be givin’ Dick a chance to make 


1 6 THE CRUISE OF THE PHOEBE 


quite a lot of money before he goes to college. I 
want him to go into partnership with me, doin’ his 
share of the work, an’ the two of us to borrow the 
money of you. ’Squire Merrill says if he lets me 
the boat I must have her insured, so in case we get 
on the rocks he won’t lose anything. Dick an’ I 
will share an’ share alike, with the agreement that 
we won’t draw out any money for our own use, until 
three months have gone by. When we sell a cargo 
of lobsters, we will turn over to you all the profits, 
keepin’ on hand only as much as we started in with, 
an’ — Well, that’s all I think of, sir.” 

“ Suppose we go over and have a look at the 
Phoebe; it may be that she isn’t in shape for such 
a voyage as you propose to make,” and Mr. Mar- 
shall started toward the door, Ezra saying as he 
followed by the side of Dick: 

“ I’ve overhauled her, sir, an’ can’t find any- 
thing wrong.” 

Ten minutes later the three were on board the 
smack, giving more attention to the engine and hull 
than to the cabin fittings. 

A seaworthy craft was the Phoebe; forty feet in 
length, with a beam of twelve feet. A wheel-house 
rose from the bow much like a watch-tower, giving 
her an odd appearance as compared with a pleasure 
yacht, and aft of that, running a full fifteen feet 
in the very middle of the craft, was the lobster well 
— a compartment water-tight on the sides and ends, 
but with many perforations in the bottom so that 
the sea water might find free entrance. This place, 
which would answer as the hold in other vessels, was. 


THE CRUISE OF THE PHCEBE 17 

as a matter of course, awash to the water-line of the 
smack, and in it lobsters could be kept alive an in- 
definite time. 

Aft of this well was the cabin, in which were 
also the engine and the cook’s quarters, with two 
bunks on either side, and a small folding-table at 
which three persons might sit without being very 
badly cramped for elbow-room. It was not an in- 
viting looking place, this small cuddy; but as Ezra 
explained when, by the expression on Mr. Marshall’s 
face, he fancied that gentleman was not pleased with 
the general appearance, “ We ain’t goin’ into this 
business for fun, an’ so we have a bed an’ enough 
to eat, there’s no need of fancy fittin’s.” 

“ You’re right, Ezra. I wasn’t thinking of the 
looks; but figuring whether the engine couldn’t be 
enclosed in some way, so that you wouldn’t be forced 
to inhale the fumes of gasoline all the time. The 
boat appears to be in fair condition; but it wouldn’t 
do any harm to haul her out on the dry dock and 
make certain her bottom Is sound.” 

‘‘ Then you’re willin’ to lend us the money, 
father?” Dick asked anxiously, for since the In- 
spection of the smack he had grown quite eager to 
have a share In Ezra’s scheme. 

“ Because of the fact that Ezra has shown him- 
self willing and capable of taking care of his family 
these past three years, I believe he will make a suc- 
cess of the business, providing you do not meet 
with misfortune at the outset. Therefore I am will- 
ing to loan the firm of Upton & Marshall the money 
needed, requiring from them interest at the rate of 


18 THE CRUISE OF THE PHCEBE 


six per cent. Perhaps it will be better for me to 
conclude the bargain with the owner of the Phoebe, 
and you may set about making ready for the first 
cruise at once. Get the boat out where you can 
look at the hull carefully, and, after that has been 
done, take in your stores, for the sooner you make 
the acquaintance of the lobster catchers alongshore, 
the better able you will be to get a cargo.” 

Having said this, Mr. Marshall left the boys, go- 
ing in the direction of ’Squire Merrill’s home, and 
Dick would have given himself up to a time of re- 
joicing because of the ease with which the financial 
portion of the business had been accomplished; but 
Ezra reminded him that much in the way of work 
remained to be done, by saying: 

“ I reckon your father will feel more certain of 
gettin’ his money back, if we go to work instead of 
dancin’ ’round pattin’ ourselves on the head. The 
Phoebe is to be hauled out, an’ there’s no reason why 
we shouldn’t have it done ’twixt now an’ night. 
We’ll run her over to the railway with her own 
power, which will be quicker than towin’.” 

Then Ezra set about putting the engine in order, 
after Dick had hurried away to buy a small supply 
of gasoline, and Mr. Marshall had not yet returned 
from his visit to ’Squire Merrill’s when the smack 
was high and dry on the marine railway. 

Ezra had many friends in Westbay, having won 
them by the manly way in which he took his father’s 
place as head of the family, and one of them, Josiah 
Fernald, who was an able ship-carpenter, volunteered 
to make a critical examination of the Phoebe’s hull. 


THE CRUISE OF THE PHCEBE 


19 


“ A little calkin’ around the stern-post, an’ a coat 
of copper paint will fix her up shipshape, I reckon,” 
Mr. Fernald said after his task was finished, and 
when Mr. Marshall came to see what the boys were 
doing, Ezra was driving oakum into the seams with 
a fairly skilful hand. 

“You’re not losing any time, eh?” he cried 
cheerily. “ Copper paint, eh? That’s a good idea, 
and \yhile she’s hauled out I’ll have the cabin put 
in a little better shape, for by my agreement with 
’Squire Merrill I’m at liberty to make any repairs. 
I’ll send a carpenter at once.” 

“We can’t afford to hire much work done,” Ezra 
said warningly. “ Two hundred an’ fifty will be 
about as little as we can get along with, if we find 
a chance to buy a cargo.” 

“ I’ll attend to that part of the business, and 
charge the expense against the boat,” Mr. Marshall 
replied laughingly as he walked away. 

During the next five working days Messrs. Up- 
ton & Marshall were very busy lads; but at the end 
of that time the Phoebe was lying at Marshall & 
Jordan’s dock, not only in prime condition as re- 
gards the hull and engine, but outfitted In much bet- 
ter shape than Ezra had believed really necessary. 

Dick’s father had insisted on putting the stores 
and the gasoline on board, and the senior member of 
the lobster-buying firm feared he had been far too 
extravagant in the way of eatnbles. 

“ While we owe so much money we ought’er skin 
along with flour, pork and potatoes,” Ezra had said 
when the provisions were sent on board; but Mr. 


20 THE CRUISE OF THE PHOEBE 


Marshall laughingly declared that since the owner of 
the boat had an interest in the venture to the extent 
of one-quarter of the profits, those who sailed her 
need not complain if ’Squire Merrill was satisfied. 

On the evening when the Phoebe was ready for 
sea, and Ezra had said good-bye to his mother, for 
the lads were to sleep on board in order to make an 
early start next morning, Mr. Marshall sent for 
them to come to his office. 

“ Here is the money I agreed to lend you,” he 
said, pointing to a fat canvas bag on the desk in 
front of him. “ I have made it up of silver and 
small bills, that you may have no difficulty in pay- 
ing out the exact amount. Do you know what lob- 
sters are worth in the wholesale market? ” 

“ They were payin’ fourteen cents a pound in 
Portland yesterday, an’ Charley Jordan, who came 
from there this mornin’, says they are likely to go 
higher,” Ezra replied promptly. 

“ Remember that in buying the expense of pro- 
visions and gasoline must be added to the cost of 
the lobsters, and govern yourselves accordingly. Do 
not be discouraged if you fail to get a cargo in 
any very short time, for you must first make the 
acquaintance of the fishermen before you can expect 
them to hold their catch until the Phoebe gets 
around. Perhaps, though,” he added with a smile 
as he looked at Ezra, “ you already know more 
about the business than I can tell you? ” 

“ Indeed I don’t, sir,” was the quick reply. “ I 
know what good lobsters are, an’ that’s about all. 


THE CRUISE OF THE PHCEBE 21 


The buyin’ part of the business I’ve got to learn, 
an’ so has Dick.” 

“ I’m glad, because of the money I’ve got in- 
vested in the scheme, that you don’t know too much, 
lad. Now go aboard and get a long night’s rest, 
for with only two to run the Phoebe I’m allowing 
that you’ll find it necessary to work very hard be- 
fore the cruise comes to an end. Be a good boy, 
Dick, and don’t do anything which would cause 
your mother to grieve.” 

Then, handing Ezra the bag of money, Mr. Mar- 
shall walked with the boys to the dock, there leav- 
ing the partners to spend the evening as best they 
might, so far as their creditor was concerned. 

“ It’s a case of cookin’ supper, or turnin’ in with- 
out it,” Ezra said with a cheery laugh, for now that 
his scheme was so far progressed he believed he and 
his mother were certain of gaining enough of this 
world’s goods to provide them with all the comforts, 
if not the luxuries, of life. 

“ If you’d done as I advised, we’d had somebody 
on board to get the supper for us, an’ that’s the 
way things ought to have been fixed.” 

“ Now see here, Dick,” and Ezra spoke very 
earnestly. “ With you the whole scheme amounts 
to a season’s pleasurin’, an’ you wouldn’t shed many 
tears if this firm went into bankruptcy, because your 
father can well afford to forgive you your part of 
the debt. I’m a fellow who can’t have anythin’ in 
this world that he don’t earn for himself, an’, be- 
sides, I’ve got to support mother. What I’m 


22 THE CRUISE OF THE PHCEBE 


wantin’ is to see the time when I can say that there’s 
no need of. her goin’ from house to house sewin’, 
because I’ve made enough to take care of her, an’ 
in order to do that I’ve got to look sharp after every 
cent. If we hired a cook it would cost us at least 
twenty dollars a month, an’ we’d have to feed him. 
This firm can’t afford any such luxury as that when 
they owe for the whole outfit.” 

“ Father says I must let you manage the business, 
for you’ve got what he calls a ‘ long head,’ so I 
s’pose it’s a case of humpin’ over a cook-stove an’ 
washin’ greasy dishes, from now out, so let’s have 
the job over for this night as soon as possible.” 

The cabin of the Phoebe had almost a home-like 
appearance when the partners entered, thanks to 
Mr. Marshall’s orders. The engine had been par- 
tially enclosed, the table was enlarged, two new 
lockers had been put in, and everything was as bright 
as fresh paint could make it. Already had the boys 
stowed their belongings in place, the table was 
spread for supper, and although there was nothing 
really beautiful in the two suits of oil-skins which 
hung on the forward bulkhead, they actually adorned 
the snug little cuddy. 

A small, stout drawer had been fitted beneath one 
end of the table, on which was a lock with two 
keys, and in this Ezra placed the bag of money, say- 
ing as he fastened the place of deposit securely and 
gave one of the keys to his partner: 

“ If a thief got in here he’d have to hunt quite 
a spell before findin’ our bank; but it ain’t likely 


THE CRUISE OF THE PHCEBE 


23 


anybody will try to rob us, though we must keep a 
sharp look-out all the while, for if that money got 
away from us it would be good-bye to the lobster 
business.” 

“ I guess we can look after it all right, an’ so 
long as we don’t allow any one to come below, it 
can’t be stolen. Are you goin’ to cook supper? ” 

“ Sure. Light the swingin’ lamp, so’s to make 
things look all the more cosy, an’ I’ll get to work.” 

Thanks to Ezra’s skill as a cook, the first meal 
aboard the Phoebe was a decided success, and al- 
though it was not pleasant to be forced to wash 
dishes, Dick did his share of the work without 
grumbling. Then the partners discussed their plans 
for the future until slumber weighed heavily on their 
eyelids, and it was not yet eight o’clock in the even- 
ing when both were sleeping soundly and noisily. 

There was only the faintest gleam of light in the 
eastern sky when Ezra rolled out of his bunk, peeped 
through the half-opened hatch, and awakened his 
partner by saying: 

“ I reckon you’d better turn out, Dick. By the 
time we’ve made coffee an’ boiled some eggs it’ll 
be light enough to get under way.” 

Now as a matter of fact Dick and work were not 
particularly good friends, but he obeyed this sum- 
mons as promptly as if his one desire was to be doing 
something in the way of labor, and the sun had not 
yet shown his face over the water when, with Ezra 
at the engine and Dick at the wheel, the Phoebe 
glided out of the harbor, headed for Monhegan 


24 THE CRUISE OF THE PHCEBE 

island, it being a portion of Ezra’s scheme to make 
the first stop there, after which a visit would be 
paid to Matinicus. 

The real business of buying lobsters, so the boys 
argued, could not be begun until they were to the 
eastward of Matinicus, for they did not expect to 
drive a very flourishing trade in those localities 
visited by passenger steamers. 

Ezra found plenty with which to busy himself 
for an hour or more after leaving port. It had 
been agreed that he who acted as engineer, for the 
boys were to make a change of work each day, 
should wash the dishes, and the senior member of 
the firm was deeply engaged in this not overly agree- 
able task, when from the wheel-house came the sig- 
nal to “ slow down,” followed almost immediately 
by the bell to stop her. 

Hurriedly Ezra obeyed the command, and when 
the motor was motionless he ran out of the cabin 
to learn the reason for this sudden interruption of 
the voyage. Much to his surprise he learned that 
Dick had stopped in obedience to the signals of a 
not very reputable looking old man in a dory, who 
was by this time pulling alongside. 

“What’s the matter?” Ezra asked sharply, and 
Dick replied with a laugh: 

“ That’s for you to find out. He signaled as 
if he was a health officer come to have a squint at 
our passenger list, an’ I thought we might as well 
hear what he had to say for himself.” 

“ Hello there ! ” the stranger cried as he came 
over the rail with the painter of the boat in his 


THE CRUISE OF THE PHGEBE 25 

hand. “ I reckon this ’ere craft is a lobster smack, 
eh?” 

“ That’s what she is,” and Ezra spoke curtly, for 
it vexed him to have the Phoebe held up by one who 
was evidently bent on making himself “ at home ” 
without waiting for an invitation. 

“ Wa’al, I’m glad to hear that, for I was jest 
wonderin’ how long it would take me to pull from 
here to Swans island. I reckon you’re goin’ that 
far, an’ won’t begrudge me a passage.” 

“ Swans island ! ” Ezra cried in surprise. “ Why, 
that’s quite a bit to the eastward of Isle au Haut ! ” 

“ You’ve got it down fine, lad, for that’s jest about 
where it lays, an’ it’s a wicked long pull for one 
man in a dory.” 

“ Did you count on rowin’ that far? It must be 
more than a hundred miles ! ” 

“ Wa’al, I kind’er allowed I’d pick up some craft 
bound that way afore I’d got very far on the road, 
an’ it seems I did,” the stranger replied as he made 
the dory fast astern and calmly proceeded to fill a 
black pipe quite as disreputable looking as himself. 
“ Where are you bound? ” 

“ Where did you start from? ” Ezra asked, giving 
no heed to the question. 

“ I came out of Portland last night.” 

“Have you been in the dory since then?” Dick 
cried in surprise. 

“Sure enough; what else could I do? I’m near 
about tuckered out too, an’ it’s a big piece of luck 
that I ran across you. Bless my stars, you’re nothin’ 
but boys! Ain’t there any men aboard?” 


26 THE CRUISE OF THE PHCEBE 


“ We’re alone, an’ didn’t count on takin’ any pas- 
sengers,” Ezra said even more curtly than before; 
but the stranger was not disturbed by the inhospit- 
able tone. 

“ No, I reckon you didn’t; but you see folks will 
turn up when you ain’t expectin’ ’em. I don’t allow 
you boys own this ’ere smack all by yourselves? ” 

“ There’s no reason why we should hold on here, 
Dick,” Ezra said as he turned to enter the cuddy. 
“ We’re bound to keep movin’ if we count on makin’ 
port to-night, an’ we shan’t go any faster with that 
dory trailin’ on astern.” 

“ Start her up, partner, an’ the next time I see 
anybody in a dory wavin’ his arms as if havin’ a 
fit, I won’t make the mistake of stoppin’,” Master 
Marshall cried with a laugh. 

Ezra was not in a particularly good humor as he 
started the motor, nor did he feel any better in mind 
when the visitor followed him into the cuddy with- 
out waiting for an invitation. 

“ Ain’t it kind’er lonesome down here all alone? ” 
the old fellow asked as he seated himself at the table 
and looked around hungrily. 

“ I haven’t had a chance to find out,” was Ezra’s 
not very gracious reply as he turned his attention 
once more to washing the dishes. 

“ So you boys are runnin’ the machine all alone 
— not a man aboard, eh? ” 

“ We two make up the crew.” 

“Out for lobsters?” 

“ Yes.” 

“Wa’al, it’s kind’er lucky you ‘struck me, if so 


THE CRUISE OF THE PHCEBE 27 

be you’re goin’ down Swans island way, for I’m 
pretty well known thereabouts.” 

Ezra began to wish he had not been quite so curt 
in his speech, for possibly here was one who could 
give them no inconsiderable aid, and as atonement 
he set before the old fellow half a pan of corn- 
bread and some cold fried bacon. 

“ Now that’s what I call prime! ” and the visitor 
made a vigorous attack on the food. “ I don’t 
reckon you’ve got a drop of coffee anywhere about, 
eh?” 

“ Will you take it cold, or wait till I warm 
some? ” 

“ Give me a mug jest as it is, an’ the rest will be 
heatin’ while I’m gettin’ away with the first dose.” 

Only with difficulty could Ezra repress an impa- 
tient word, for the old man was assuming an air 
of authority which did not please the lad; but, re- 
membering that if he was to get a cargo for the 
Phoebe in anything like a reasonable length of time 
it would be necessary to cultivate the acquaintance of 
those who lived on the coast, he filled a mug with 
coffee, asking as he placed it before the passenger: 

“ Have you been in Portland very long? ” 

“ A good bit longer than I wanted to stay,” the 
old man replied angrily. “ Six months, that’s what 
it was.” 

“ An’ you haven’t been on Swans island in all that 
time ? ” 

“ Course not; how could I, seein’s the sheriff’s 
men took mighty good care that I didn’t have a 
chance even to stick my nose out ’er doors. Say, 


2 8 THE CRUISE OF THE PHGEBE 


but this is fine coffee, an’ I’m hopin’ you’ve got 
plenty of it in that ’ere pot.” 

“ I reckon there’s as much as you can drink. 
What had the sheriff’s men to do with you? ” 

“ They was the whole thing, seein’s I was in jail,” 
the passenger said as if it was quite a matter of 
course that he should have been in prison. 

“ In jail ! ” Ezra repeated in dismay. “ Why did 
they put you there ? ” 

“ Nothin’, son, jest nothin’ at all, so to speak. 
I’d been runnin’ a little spirits over the line when 
they nabbed me — ” 

“Runnin’ spirits?” Ezra repeated in bewilder- 
ment. “ What do you mean by that? ” 

“ Smugglin’, they called it, an’ if you’ll believe 
me, them pesky fools allowed it was somethin’ 
mighty wicked, or you’d thought they did, ’cordin’ 
to the talk that was made at the trial. Don’t you 
forget that I was glad when yesterday mornin’ came, 
an’ my time was done. Didn’t it feel good to get 
out’er doors once more!” 

“ An’ you had the dory at Portland all that 
time? ” 

“ Wa’al, say, do you allow she’d staid there six 
months while I was locked in an’ couldn’t ’tend to 
her? No siree, that ’ere dory astern is one I picked 
up last night, an’ she ain’t any great of a boat for 
a fact.” 

“ Picked her up? ” and Ezra took the coffee pot 
from the stove. “ Do you mean that you stole 
her? ” 

“ Wa’al, I wanted to get to Swans island, an’ 


THE CRUISE OF THE PHCEBE 29 

didn’t have any other way of strikin’ the place ’less 
I hitched on to somethin’ that would float. As 
luck would have it, I lighted on a craft that ain’t 
worth a shillin’ to the dozen.” 

The old man stopped talking long enough to stuff 
his mouth full of corn-bread, and Ezra stood star- 
ing at him in dismay, saying to himself that here 
indeed was a good beginning for an honest cruise 
— a smuggler and thief making himself at home in 
the cuddy without heed as to the wishes of his hosts. 

Ezra was at a loss to know just what should be 
done under the circumstances. He was not willing 
to keep the man on board, and even though it had 
been possible to set him ashore, it was by no means 
certain the fellow would go voluntarily. 

Assuring himself that the motor was running 
smoothly,' and with a glance at that part of the 
table beneath which was the bag of money, the lad 
ran hastily out of the cuddy to the wheel-house, say- 
ing as he entered: 

“ Do you know what we’ve got In the cabin, 
Dick? A smuggler an’ a thief! He stole the dory 
last night, an’ who knows but that we’ll be arrested 
at the first port we make, for helpin’ him off with 
the boat? ” 

“How do you know all that?” Dick asked 
sharply, and looking almost frightened. 

“ He just told me, an’ now he’s in the cabin 
eatin’ an’ drinkin’ as if he owned the whole out- 
fit!” 

“ You must put him ashore, that’s all there is to 
it! We can’t start out on our first tradin’ cruise 


30 THE CRUISE OF THE PHOEBE 

with such a thing as that! Put him ashore, I tell 
you I ” 

“ When? How? It’ll take us a good two hours 
to make the nearest settlement, an’ even then we’d 
be somewhere around Bald Head! If we put back 
it’ll cost a full day of time, an’ nobody knows how 
much in the way of gasoline ! ” 

“ Then turn him adrift ! I won’t have him on 
this craft another minute, an’ that’s the cold fact! ” 
“ Then s’pose you go below an’ do the job? I’ve 
got an idea that he won’t leave willingly, ' an’ we 
stand the chance of havin’ a big row.” 

“ All right, let’s have it, an’ the sooner the bet- 
ter. Take the wheel, an’ I’ll show the old repro- 
bate whether he’s got a free footin’ on this boat! ” 
Then Dick ran at full speed to the cuddy, and 
Ezra stood at the helm wondering whether his part- 
ner would succeed in the effort to rid the Pheobe 
of the unwelcome passenger. 


CHAPTER II 


THE PASSENGER 

When Dick leaped into the cuddy, being too im- 
patient and angry to admit of using the stairs in the 
ordinary manner, the passenger was seated comfort- 
ably at the table drinking coffee, and from the 
friendly greeting he bestowed upon the irritated lad, 
one would have supposed he really believed himself 
to be an honored guest. 

“ Glad to see yer, my boy ! Have a mug of this 
’ere coffee; it’s prime. When a man like me has 
been without a hot an’ refreshin’ drink in the mornin’ 
for six long months, it’s like meetin’ an old friend 
to run up agin somethin’ like this ’ere, an’ I ain’t 
countin’ on shettin’ down while there’s a drop left 
in the pot.” 

‘‘ Look here,” Dick cried angrily, taking ad- 
vantage of the first opportunity to speak, “ we didn’t 
ask you to come aboard this boat, an’ we’re — ” 

“ Didn’t ask me?” and the visitor looked up as 
if in surprise. “ What did you mean by stoppin’, 
if it wasn’t the same as an invitation for me to take 
passage? ” 

“ I stopped because you waved your arms so 
frantically that I thought you must be in distress.” 

“ So I was, an’ so you’d been if it was a case of 
pullin’ from Portland to Swans island, unless friends 

31 


32 THE CRUISE OF THE PHGEBE 

turned up same’s you did,” and the disreputable 
guest turned his attention to the coffee once more, 
as if there was no further need for argument. 

“ My partner tells me you’ve just come out of 
jail after servin’ a six-months sentence, an’ what’s 
more, that you stole the dory which is towin’ astern,” 
and Dick advanced a couple of paces toward the 
table as if it was his Intention to take possession 
of the coffee pot, whereupon the stranger seized It 
with both hands, as he replied: 

“ Course I’ve been in jail; but what does that 
amount to, seein’s I wasn’t sent there for anythin’ 
worse’n bringin’ a drop of spirits across the line? 
Then agin, how could I have got a boat to go to 
Swans island, if I hadn’t taken the first one I run 
across? ” 

“ You could have waited until you found some 
vessel goin’ that way, instead of stealin’ — ” 

“ I’d been likely to have hung ’round Portland 
till my hair was grayer than it is now, an’ then agin, 
who’d fed me all the time I was waitin’ ? ” 

Dick understood that by thus arguing with the 
smuggler he was losing sight of his original pur- 
pose, which was to send the unwelcome guest adrift, 
and without giving heed to the question, he said in 
a tone of command: 

“ I want you to get into your boat this very min- 
ute, for we’ve had enough of you aboard the 
Phoebe I ” 

“ Why should I get inter the dory ? ” the fellow 
asked as if in bewilderment. 

‘‘ Because we don’t count on takin’ the chances 


THE CRUISE OF THE PHCEBE 


33 


of carryin’ you any further. Suppose the owner 
finds his boat towin^ astern of this craft; we’d be 
held as havin’ helped steal her!” 

“ I don’t reckon any one would find her, if you 
kept on movin’ ahead same’s you’re doin’ now,” 
and the smuggler poured for himself another mug 
of coffee, sweetening it with a liberal amount of 
sugar. 

“ But I tell you that we won’t have you aboard 
any longer, so get into your dory without further 
talk. We’re honest traders, an’ can’t afford to take 
the chances of bein’ found in the company of such 
as you I ” 

“ Does that mean you’d be willin’ for me to pull 
that hulk of a boat all the way from here to Swans 
island?” and the passenger drank his coffee de- 
liberately, 

‘‘ We don’t care where you go, providin’ you don’t 
stay on board this smack any longer,” Dick cried 
impatiently, and the man replied as if speaking to 
an importunate child: 

“ Look here, my son, it don’t stand to reason that 
I’m strong enough, after havin’ laid still six months 
in jail, to do very much work with a pair of oars, 
an’ seein’s how it’s a case of gettin’ to Swans island 
right soon, I reckon it would be foolish for me to 
leave snug quarters like these. Besides, knowin’ 
folks on the coast, I can help you along a good bit in 
the way of gettin’ a cargo. No, no, my son, 
Eliphalet Barnes ain’t any sich fool as to take to a 
leaky dory when he’s got the chance of livin’ easy on 
this ’er€ smack.” 


34 the cruise of THE PHCEBE 

“ But Tm sayin’ that you can’t stay here another 
minute, so get into the craft you’ve stolen, an’ be 
quick about it ! ” Dick cried, now losing his temper 
entirely. 

“ An’ I’m sayin’ that I’ll stay where I am,” Mr. 
Barnes replied in a threatening tone as he rose to 
his feet after drinking the last drop of coffee. “ Me 
an’ you fellers will get along right smooth, if I 
ain’t riled; but in case you rough inter me there’s 
like to be considerable trouble. See?” 

“ Do you mean that you refuse to leave this 
smack?” Dick cried, speaking indistinctly because 
of his anger. 

“ You’ve come mighty nigh the size of it, my son, 
an’ the sooner you calm down the pleasanter things 
will be all around.” 

Dick ran up the cuddy stairs, crying as he gained 
the deck: 

“ Hello, Ezra! We’ll have to put about, for this 
fellow refuses to leave. Better head straight for 
Portland. It’s wiser to lose a couple of days’ time, 
than take our chances of bein’ overhauled for 
stealin’.” 

“ It’s too bad to turn back after startin’ on the 
first cruise,” Ezra cried, showing his face at the 
after window of the wheel-house. “ Can’t you 
make him obey orders? ” 

“ We’d better put about than have a regular row, 
same as he threatens; but we’ll save him the trouble 
of pullin’ all the way to Swans island, by givin’ him 
a chance to serve another term in jail for stealin’ the 
dory I” 


THE CRUISE OF THE PHCEBE 35 

“ I’m allowin’ you won’t do any sich fool trick! ” 
a sharp voice cried, and, turning, Dick saw that 
Mr. Barnes had come on deck with a heavy iron 
wrench in his hand, which he swung to and fro 
threateningly. 

Dick looked around hurriedly for a weapon, be- 
lieving the smuggler was about to make an attack 
upon him; but could find nothing that might serve 
his purpose. Beneath the dory, which was lashed 
amidships over the well, were oars and boat-hooks, 
but these he could not come at without spending con- 
siderable time, and the indications were that he had 
very few seconds at his disposal, for Mr. Barnes was 
brandishing the wrench in a most disagreeable 
manner. 

Ezra, who had a full view of what was taking 
place on deck, now swung the steering-wheel hard 
down, and the Phoebe’s bow was describing a half- 
circle against the horizon when the smuggler ran 
to the door of the pilot-house, pulling it open 
viciously as he cried: 

“ Drop that wheel an’ get aft, or I’ll smash your 
head to a jelly 1 ” 

“ Get out of here, or we’ll have you arrested as 
a pirate 1 ” and Ezra kept a firm hold of the wheel- 
spokes as he cried loudly, “ Come here, Dick, an’ 
be quick about it 1 ” 

The words were no more than spoken when Mr. 
Barnes dealt him a savage blow with his bare fist, 
and the wonder of it was that he did not go over- 
board. 

“ I’ll take charge of this ’ere craft till we get 


36 THE CRUISE OF THE PHGEBE 

to Swans island, since you lads ain’t willin’ to do 
a poor man a good turn, an’ seein’s how you’re 
ready to make a rough house of your boat. I’m goin’ 
to help things along. If you don’t obey orders 
right up to the handle from this out, there’ll be 
trouble good an’ plenty, for I ain’t countin’ on 
rowin’ any leaky boat when there’s a show for makin’ 
the pasage easy an’ comfortable like ! ” 

Almost unconsciously Ezra staggered aft to where 
Dick was standing, and there the two remained star- 
ing in open-mouthed astonishment at the back of 
Mr. Barnes’ head, which could be seen through the 
window of the wheel-house, as he stood at the helm 
bringing the Phoebe around to her course again. 

They had actually lost control of their craft, and 
that through a man whom they had taken on board 
in charity! 

While one might have counted twenty they stood 
there silent and motionless, and then Ezra said with 
a laugh that had in it little of mirth: 

“ We’ve shown ourselves to be fit for the busi- 
ness, an’ that’s a fact! In less than four hours after 
settin’ out we’ve lost the whole concern, an’ found 
a master! ” 

“ It’ll take more than one like that pirate to do 
us out of our property!” Dick cried, shaking his 
clenched fist in the direction of the wheel-house. 
“ That old villain shall know what it is to serve 
twice six months in jail, for we’ll make complaint 
to the officers! ” 

“ How are we to come across any? ” Ezra asked 
with a grimace. “ It strikes me that he has the up- 


THE CRUISE OF THE PHOEBE 37 

per hands just now, an’ we’ll go wherever he steers.” 

As a matter of course the Phoebe had been run- 
ning at full speed all this while, and the gentleman 
at the wheel, evidently believing he had solved the 
problem of getting to Swans island without very 
much labor on his part, was whistling cheerily, giv- 
ing no apparent heed to the rightful masters of the 
smack. 

Dick was literally beside himself with rage as he 
realized how powerless they were so long as Mr. 
Barnes held possession of the pilot-house, and it 
seemed much as if his partner’s anger served to bring 
Ezra to his normal senses, for he said in a low tone : 

“ Come below ; w'e’re doin’ no good by ravin’, 
an’ unless we’re willin’ to stand idly by while that 
old pirate works his will, it’s time we cooked up 
some plan to get the best of him.” 

“But what can we do?” Dick asked helplessly 
as he followed his partner into the cuddy. “ What 
fools we were not to have brought a revolver, an’ 
with all that money where he can get at it! ” 

“ I’m allowin’ that the money won’t do him much 
good,” Ezra cried quickly, as if a happy thought 
had come to him. “ Let’s hunt around for some- 
thin’ that will offset his wrench, an’ then come to 
an understandin’.” 

“ How can we do anythin’ while he’s at the 
wheel?” Dick asked helplessly. 

“ What good will it do him to be there if the 
screw isn’t turnin’? There’s no real need of our 
runnin’ the motor for his benefit.” 

“ Well, I am a stupid! I never thought that we 


38 THE CRUISE OF THE PHCEBE 

could bring the Phoebe to a standstill ! ” and Dick 
made as if to stop the craft, but Ezra prevented him 
by saying in a whisper: 

“ We mustn’t do that till we’re ready to take care 
of the pirate. It stands us in hand to get somethin’ 
that will serve as weapons, an’ then, after stoppin’ 
the motor, make a dash for the pilot-house, because 
there’s no question but that we’ve got to have a fight 
unless we’re willin’ to lose the whole outfit. He has 
succeeded so well up to this point, that he’ll begin 
to press his luck a little later.” 

While speaking Ezra was overhauling the goods 
in the cuddy, and in a few seconds lighted upon a 
lobster gaff of stout ash, which had inadvertently, 
but fortunately, been stowed in the cabin instead of 
in the dory where it belonged. 

“ I reckon this will serve a bit better than his 
wrench, an’ you shall take that table leg — pull it 
off, for we can repair damages later. Now I’ll 
throw the sparker out of gear,” he added as Dick 
wrecked the table according to his partner’s sug- 
gestion, “ an’ the minute the motor is put out of 
commission we’re to make a rush for the wheel. 
Of course there’s a chance he may get in a clip or 
two on us, but we’ve got to take the risk. Are you 
ready? ” 

“ Fire away! ” and Dick stood in the companion- 
way ready to leap on deck. 

He had no more than ceased speaking when Ezra 
did his portion of the work, and as the screw ceased 
to revolve both lads made a dash forward, expecting 
to be severely handled before the task was finished; 


THE CRUISE OF THE PHCEBE 39 

but determined on overpowering their pirate, who 
was whistling merrily as he stood at the wheel. 

Not until the lads were forward, one at either 
door of the pilot-house, did Mr. Barnes suspect that 
any plan was on foot to deprive him of his power, 
and then he would have been dull-witted indeed had 
he not realized that, as he afterward expressed it, 
“ the jig was up.” If he made an attack on either 
of the boys, the other might knock him out of time 
in short order, and with one enemy in front and 
another in the rear there was no possibility he could 
hold his own, while it seemed absolutely certain he 
would be seriously injured. 

“ Tm allowin’ you lads have got the best of me,” 
he said with a friendly smile as he glanced from one 
to the other. “ I declare for it, I didn’t think you’d 
take advantage of an old man in any sich way as 
this! I was only playin’ a joke, when I took pos- 
session of the helm, an’ if you didn’t want to stand 
a little foolin’, you might’er said so, without actin’ 
as if you had it in mind to fight a reg’lar battle.” 

“ Drop that wrench I ” Ezra said sharply, and the 
iron tool clattered on the floor as the smuggler re- 
leased his hold of it. 

. “ Now come out of that an’ go aft! ” 

“ Look here, are you countin’ on settin’ me adrift 
in a leaky boat?” Mr. Barnes asked in tremulous 
tones as he stepped gingerly out of the wheel-house, 
Ezra slowly giving way in front of him, and Dick 
urging him forward with the table leg from behind. 

“ Of course we’re goin’ to set you adrift,” Ezra 
replied angrily. “ The one question in my mind is 


40 THE CRUISE OF THE PHCEBE 

whether we ought not take you back to Portland as 
a thief, an’ we’d do it if we could afford to spend 
the time ! ” 

“ An’ you’re willin’ I should pull that heavy, 
leaky boat all the way from here to Swans island?” 
the fellow whined, whereupon Dick cried impa- 
tiently, as he prodded yet more vigorously with the 
table leg: 

“ We don’t care where you go, so that we get you 
out of this boat! An’ there’s no sense in your 
whinin’, for after what you’ve tried to do it wouldn’t 
make me feel bad a little bit if you had to walk every 
step of the way, so move on faster! ” 

Mr. Barnes looked sharply at the boys as if try- 
ing to decide whether it would be worth his while 
to make any attempt at softening their hearts, and, 
seeing in their faces an expression of anger and en- 
mity, he evidently concluded that it would be a 
waste of both time and breath. Instead of making 
any further effort at treating as a joke alt that had 
occurred, he went meekly over the rail into the dory 
which Dick pulled alongside, and once there, with 
the painter cast off, gave way to the wildest wrath. 

“You miserable little puppies!” he shrieked, 
backing the dory away at a respectful distance lest 
the lads in their anger throw something at him. 
“ If you think you’ve seen the last of Eliphalet 
Barnes, you’re makin’ the biggest mistake of your 
lives! It may be I’ll have to row all the way to 
Swans island, an’ then agin I may get there as soon 
as you do; but whichever way it turns, we’ll come 


THE CRUISE OF THE PHCEBE 41 


together soon, remember that! If you don’t rue 
the day you turned me adrift, it’ll be because I’ve 
clean forgot how to get even! ” 

Ezra, while not particularly alarmed by the 
threats, had no desire to hear them, and, running 
into the cuddy, he had the screw turning so quickly 
that Dick was obliged to move at his best pace for- 
ward in order to take the helm. 

The smuggler was soon left so far behind that 
the crew of the Phoebe could not hear him however 
loudly he might have shrieked, and then, after mak- 
ing certain the motor was working smoothly, Ezra 
joined his partner in the wheel-house, saying as he 
entered : 

“ If your father could know just what has hap- 
pened he’d begin to think it was a bad investment 
when he lent us two hundred an’ fifty dollars. It 
makes me feel mighty foolish when I realize what 
easy marks we were! A couple of babies couldn’t 
have been any softer! ” 

“ I’ve got money enough of my own to buy a 
revolver, an’ you can make up your mind that I’ll 
have one within five minutes after we strike a town 
where such things are kept for sale,” Dick cried 
irritably. 

“ It shouldn’t be necessary for us to go around 
armed like a couple of toughs; but I suppose we’d 
best be on the safe side in case we’re taken in so 
easily again. That old fellow can’t do us very 
much harm with his tongue, an’ yet it ain’t certain 
that he won’t be able to shut us off from makin’ a 


42 THE CRUISE OF THE PHCEBE 

good trade now an’ then, ’specially if he claims that 
we set him adrift in a leaky boat rather than give 
him a passage.” 

“ There’s no need to bother your head about what 
he may be able to do, for we’ll be back at Westbay 
long before he can reach Swans island,” Dick re- 
plied petulantly. “ Can’t you jump it to the motor 
a bit? We’ve wasted so much time that we may not 
be able to make Monhegan before dark.” 

“ I reckon she’s doin’ her best now,” Ezra said 
carelessly. “ I don’t feel like settlin’ down so soon 
after havin’ been attacked by a pirate, but want to 
talk it over a bit.” 

“ All right. I’ll leave you to talk it over alone, 
an’ I’ll see what can be done in the way of speed,” 
Dick replied curtly as he went below, and Ezra, 
looking aft, smiled contentedly as he saw Mr. Barnes 
lying idly on his oars, evidently counting on hailing 
a craft which was just coming into view astern. 

Not until noon did Dick recover from the fit of 
sulks into which he had been plunged by the “ jok- 
ing ” of Mr. Barnes, and then he came into the 
wheel-house to say that he would take his trick at 
the helm again if Ezra was willing to get dinner. 

“Got smoothed down, eh?” his partner asked 
with a laugh, and Dick replied good-naturedly : 

“Yes, after a fashion; but even now I can’t 
think of our foolishness without feelin’ mighty sore. 
We’ll try to believe that the cruise begins from this 
moment, an’ if anybody else gets the best of us. 
I’ll bag my head, for somethin’ of the kind will be 
needed.” 


THE CRUISE OF THE PHOEBE 43 

Then it was as if, for the time being, both the 
boys put from their minds all thoughts of the misad- 
venture, and the Phoebe dashed ahead over the lazy 
swell as if understanding that she carried two lads 
who, on this first cruise, were to prove whether they 
were able to conduct a business venture. 

The sun had but just slipped down behind the 
waters when the smack rounded to at her anchor in 
the tiny cove on Monhegan shore, where Ezra knew 
lived several fishermen who devoted the greater por- 
tion of their time to trapping lobsters, and within 
half an hour after her arrival every one of the lob- 
ster catchers was on board to learn the news, as well 
as the latest quotations in the fish market. 

“ So you two boys are goin’ inter the business, 
eh?” one of the men asked curiously. “I never 
allowed that Marshall of Marshall & Jordan would 
let a son of his take up with sich a callin’.” 

“Isn’t it fair an’ honorable?” Dick asked, his 
face flushing suddenly. 

“ Of course it is, lad, else I wouldn’t be in it; 
but I kind’er reckoned it wasn’t high-toned enough 
to suit your father.” 

“ He couldn’t have had any very bad grudge 
against it, else he wouldn’t have lent us the money 
to start with,” Ezra said quickly. “ The main ques- 
tion is whether you’re goin’ to let us have your catch 
if we pay a fair price? ” 

“ Wa’al, we’re kind’er bound to the Trefethens, 
though I’m free to say that they’ve never put them- 
selves out very much to call ’round reg’lar. I 
reckon, if you don’t try to shut my eye as to the 


44 the cruise of THE PHOEBE 

price, you can have your share of what I take.” 

“ We’re payin’ eight cents a pound, an’ allowin’ 
that they’ll average a pound an’ a half. The Bos- 
ton wholesale price is fourteen, so there you have 
the whole thing,” Ezra replied in a business-like 
tone. “ You know very well that the Trefethens 
won’t handle your catch unless they can make six 
cents profit, to account for all the expense an’ loss.” 

“An’ you’ll take ’em as they run?” one of the 
visitors asked eagerly. 

“ Indeed we won’t,” Ezra said decidedly. 
“ They must all be counts, with no joes, an’ in good 
condition. You know that I’ve been lobsterin’ these 
three years, an’ it stands to reason I know what 
dealers are willin’ to take. We’re startin’ in to 
make a reg’lar business of this, an’ are bound to 
give you as good a show as any one else would, but 
at the same time, we don’t allow to let you run in 
any bad stock on us just because it looks as though 
we might be green at the business.” 

“ All right for you, lad,” the eldest of the fisher- 
men said laughingly. “ I’m willin’ to let you have 
a couple of hundred, an’ if I find that you’re doin’ 
the square thing, will save you all I can, pervidin’ 
you come often enough.” 

This was sufficient to influence the others, and 
soon the new firm had the promise of five or six 
hundred lobsters to be put on board next morning. 

When this bargain had been made Ezra poured 
out a mug of coffee for each of his guests, and 
while they were drinking it, asked with an assump- 
tion of carelessness: 


THE CRUISE OF THE PHCEBE 45 

“ Did any of you ever hear of Eliphalet Barnes, 
who hails from Swans island?” 

“ I reckon we have,” the eldest visitor replied; 
“ but I’m allowin’ that he hails from ’most anywhere, 
’cordin’ as suits his plans. He’s up in Portland 
jail now, though, an’ won’t be likely to trouble any- 
body for quite a spell.” 

“ He has served his sentence, an’ is now headin’ 
this way in a dory he stole last night,” Dick said 
promptly, and in such a tone as caused his guests 
to believe he could tell more concerning this Mr. 
Barnes, therefore they set about questioning him 
with such skill that almost before being aware of the 
fact, he had told of the Phooebe’s capture. 

“ That’s jest like Eliphalet Barnes ! ” the old man 
said with a laugh. “ There’s no kind of deviltry he 
wouldn’t tackle an’ take the chances of pullin’ 
through with it; but he ain’t a comfortable kind 
of a creeter to have a grudge agin one. I don’t 
allow to be anybody’s coward; but at the same time 
I’d rather keep on the right side of Eliphalet if it 
didn’t cost too much.” 

“ He swore vengeance against us; but yet I don’t 
see how he could do any harm, unless the lobster 
catchers alongshore are so afraid of him that they 
wouldn’t sell us their catch if he said it shouldn’t 
be done,” Ezra said with just a suggestion of nerv- 
ousness in his tones, and one of the visitors replied 
with a laugh: 

“ I reckon we ain’t so much afraid of him as all 
that comes to. What Uncle ’Siah meant was that 
we’d steer clear of a row with the skunk. You’ll 


46 THE CRUISE OF THE PHOEBE 

pick up a cargo, an’ be back long before he can get 
anywhere near Swans island, unless he comes across 
somebody what don’t know him. I wouldn’t give the 
miserable creeter a passage if by goin’ ten or twelve 
miles out’er my way I could slip past him.” 

Then ensued quite a lengthy discussion as to the 
general reputation of Eliphalet Barnes, at the close 
of which the fishermen went ashore with the agree- 
ment that they would be ready to deliver the lob- 
sters by sun-rise next morning, and the partners were 
so tired and sleepy that they tumbled into their 
bunks immediately the visitors had departed, with- 
out a word of comment on what had been said. 

It was hardly more than daybreak when Dick 
and Ezra were aroused from a dreamless sleep by 
the arrival of the first fisherman who was ready to 
put on board his catch, and the Phoebe was warped 
down to the floating car, where the work could be 
done expeditiously. 

Until nine o’clock that morning Messrs. Upton 
& Marshall were very busy, and then they had on 
board six hundred marketable lobsters, paying in 
cash twelve cents for each and every one. What 
was even better, from a business point of view, the 
fisherman promised that they would hold their catch 
a reasonable length of time for the coming of the 
Phoebe, and Ezra announced confidently that after 
this first cruise it would be possible for them to say 
when and how often he and his partner would put 
in at Monhegan. 

There was no loitering once the lobsters were in 
the Phoebe’s well and the price paid. Within ten 


The cruise of The phgebe 47 

minutes from the time the last transaction had come 
to an end the little steamer was under way headed 
for Matinicus, and Dick, whose turn it was to take 
charge of the motor, said as he entered the wheel- 
house after making certain that everything below 
was as it should be: 

“ I’m allowin’ that we haven’t made such a bad 
beginnin’, even though we did have the hard luck 
to meet Eliphalet Barnes on the first day. If the 
market price holds up, an’ we get home all that we’ve 
bought, in fair condition, it’s a case of havin’ made 
thirty dollars or more on this one trade. Of course 
there’s the cost of gasoline an’ food to come out of 
that; but the expenses can’t be so very much.” 

“ ’Squire Merrill told me he’d known Cap’en 
Hatch to make more’n a thousand dollars in one 
season, an’ I’m allowin’ that if we’re careful, an’ 
don’t meet with any accident, we ought to be able 
to pay what we owe, an’ buy the Phoebe outright, 
before fall,” Ezra said cheerily. “If we can do 
as well at Matinicus as we did at Monhegan, we 
shan’t need to go below Isle au Haut this trip.” 

Then the boys discussed the business prospects 
until it was necessary for Dick to look after the mo- 
tor, and both were feeling remarkably cheery in 
mind when, at an unusually late hour, dinner had 
been made ready. 

Because of having no third hand, only one could 
eat at a time while the smack was under way, and 
Dick said when he went on deck to announce that 
Ezra’s dinner was on the table; 

“ It seems foolish for us to try to get along with 


48 THE CRUISE OF THE PHOEBE 

no one to lend a hand. Surely we can afford to 
hire a cook, or, if you don’t want to do that, take 
on a fellow who will steer an’ do odd jobs, so we 
can get some little comfort while workin’ so hard.” 

“ Wait till we’ve paid your father the money we 
borrowed, an’ settled with ’Squire Merrill for this 
first cruise. After that, if the business turns out 
as we hope. I’ll agree to hirin’ one hand; but till 
then I think we’d better go slow, an’ so does your 
father.” 

Then Ezra went below to eat his dinner alone, 
and when he came on deck the Phoebe was so near 
Matinicus that it was necessary Dick make all speed 
with his portion of the dinner in order to finish be- 
fore they had come to anchor again. 

If Messrs. Upton & Marshall had been bent only 
on pleasuring, then the stop at Matinicus would 
have been delightful, for the fishermen welcomed 
them warmly, but had no lobsters to sell. They 
had just sent all their catch to the Portland market, 
in a power boat owned on the island, and did not 
feel at liberty to make any promises as to the future, 
because of being able to dispose of their wares at 
the highest prices. 

They gave the lads no little encouragement, how- 
ever, advising them where to call on the eastward 
trip, and recommending that they buy nothing until 
after having gone as far east as was intended, thus 
doing away with the necessity of keeping the lob- 
sters so long in the Phoebe’s well, where they were 
like to eat each other in event of getting hungry. 

At four o’clock the Phoebe was under way once 


THE CRUISE OF THE PHCEBE 49 

more, heading for Vinalhaven; but there was little 
hope of adding to the cargo at that place. It was 
only to be an anchorage for the night, and on the 
following morning a short run would take them to 
Isle au Haut. 

“ Well, we haven’t done so badly to-day, even 
though we can’t buy any more,” Ezra said when 
Dick came into the pilot-house for a chat. “ To- 
morrow I’m reckonin’ on doin’ considerable busi- 
ness in the way of makin’ arrangements for the next 
cruise. I did think the Phoebe was quite a smart 
sailer, but that tug astern don’t seem to have any 
trouble in overhaulin’ us. She wasn’t in sight when 
we left Matinicus. 

Dick looked with mild curiosity at a small tug 
which was coming up hand over hand as if in chase, 
until, when the little craft sheered a trifle, owing 
most likely to carelessness on the part of the helms- 
man, It was possible to see a dory trailing on behind. 

“Look there, Ezra!” he cried excitedly. “If 
I ain’t way out of my reckonin’ we’ve seen that boat 
before! Take a good squint at it, an’ tell me what 
you think? ” 

. Ezra did as he was bidden, and after gazing 
earnestly astern of the tug several seconds, he re- 
plied with a laugh: 

“You’ve been turnin’ over what the fishermen at 
Monhegan told us of Barnes, an’ believe every dory 
you see must be his.” 

“ I haven’t been taken that way before, for the 
very good reason that this Is the first craft of the 
kind we’ve seen at sea since he left us. I tell you 


50 THE CRUISE OF THE PHCEBE 

he’s on board that steamer, an’ if she is bound for 
Vinalhaven, as a fellow might guess by the course 
she’s steerin’, I’m thinkin’ we shall see our smuggler 
again sooner than we counted on.” 

Ezra laughed incredulously, and had begun to 
point out certain peculiarities about the dory in 
question which differed from what could have been 
seen on the stolen craft, when a man walked into the 
very bow of the tug, waving his hand as if in 
friendly salute. 

“There, what have you got to say now?” Dick 
asked triumphantly, and Ezra replied almost mourn- 
fully : 

“ Not a word. That is Barnes, for a fact, an’ 
if he is all the Monhegan fishermen claimed, we’re 
like to have trouble to-night in case we make Vinal- 
haven I ” 


CHAPTER III 


THE NEW “ HAND ” 

Although neither of the boys would have ad- 
mitted as much, both were decidedly uncomfortable 
in mind regarding the possibility that Eliphalet 
Barnes might attempt to work mischief in some way, 
as he had threatened, and if one-half of all that had 
been told about the man was true, then there could 
be no question but that the smuggler would make 
trouble for the firm of Upton & Marshall. 

When ten minutes had passed after the lads were 
convinced that Barnes was on board the tug-boat, 
it could be seen beyond a doubt that the steamer was 
bound for Vinalhaven, and Dick said with a mirth- 
less laugh : 

“ Yesterday it seemed as if that smuggler would 
be a precious long while gettin’ to Swans island, an’ 
yet he’s much the same as there already, for it can’t 
be such a terribly long pull from Vinalhaven.” 

“ I don’t believe it makes any particular difference 
to him where he brings up,” Ezra said slowly, as 
if turning over some question in his mind. “ In 
case he comes anywhere near livin’ up to his reputa- 
tion, he’ll be at his smugglin’ tricks again as soon 
as he gets a show. Say, Dick, why shouldn’t we 
make Isle au Haut to-night? There’s no hope we 
can do any business in Vinalhaven, an’ we only 

51 


52 THE CRUISE OF THE PHCEBE 

headed that way for a harbor. It won’t be very 
dark this evenin’, an’ even if it should be, we ought to 
be able to run in all right.” 

“ I’m agreed, an’ if we can’t do a trick like that 
after sunset, it’s time we looked around for some 
one else to run the Phoebe. In case we stay in this 
business very long, it stands to reason there’ll be 
many a time when we’ll have to make a night-run, 
an’ the sooner we break in the better,” and Dick 
looked decidedly relieved in mind at thus settling 
the question of anchorage. 

While one might have counted twenty Ezra re- 
mained silent, and then he said, as if ashamed to 
broach the subject: 

“ Since there’s nobody to hear us, we may as well 
admit that we’ve changed the course on account of 
Eliphalet Barnes, an’ it seems like a chicken-hearted 
trick for two lads of our size to run away from 
one man.” 

Better do that than have a row which may break 
up our business. The fishermen on Monhegan told 
us he was ready for any kind of mischief, an’, as 
I look at it, we’re bound to keep out of trouble, even 
if we do run away from one man.” 

“ So we are, Dick, an’ the fact that we owe your 
father so much money is reason enough for our 
playin’ what others might call a cowardly part. 
Better have an eye out on the motor, for it wouldn’t 
be pleasant to have that refuse to work while we’re 
dodgin’ ’round here among the islands.” 

Dick went below, where he remained until a long 
jingle of the bell told that he was needed on deck. 


THE CRUISE OF THE PHCEBE 


53 


By this time night had fully shut in, and when he 
came from the cuddy it was to find the Phoebe close 
under the land. 

“ Do you know anything about the harbor here? ” 
he asked of his partner as he went to the wheel- 
house door. 

“ No, an’ that’s why I called you. Shut down 
to half speed, an’ come up to keep a look-out. 
We’ve got to run in here by the sense of touch, as 
’Squire Merrill says. I’m — ” 

“ Ahoy on the steamer I ” came a cry from out 
the deeper shadow cast by the land, startling the 
boys for the instant because they had failed to see 
anything in the way of a craft. 

“ Ahoy ! ” Dick replied, when he had recovered 
from the surprise. 

“Where are you bound?” 

“ Tryin’ to make harbor for the night.” 

“ Then it stands you in hand to swing ’round to 
port; there’s no anchorage anywhere here.” 

“Who are you?” Ezra asked as he brought the 
Phoebe’s bow around until she was parallel with the 
shore line. 

“ Tom Downing. If you’ll give me a tow I’ll 
put your craft into a snug harbor, in case she don’t 
draw more’n six feet.” 

“All we’re wantin’ is four feet; but I don’t care 
to take the chances of runnin’ too close to the bot- 
tom. Where are you ? ” 

“Just astern; stop your screw an’ I’ll come 
aboard.” 

“ If this is another case of pickin’ up a smuggler 


54 the cruise of THE PHGEBE 

we’d best take our chances at findin’ anchorage,” 
Dick said in a whisper, and Ezra replied confi- 
dently : 

“ It’s a boy, I reckon. Better stop, an’ stand by 
to look him over before he gets aboard.” 

Dick went below at once, and in a few seconds 
the Phoebe was rising and falling idly on the swell, 
while both Ezra and his partner stood near the star- 
board rail to get a glimpse of the stranger before 
taking him on board. 

Then from out the darkness came what seemed 
to be an unusually large dory whose gunwale rose 
above the water nearly as high as the Phoebe’s rail, 
and over the edge of which could be seen the head 
of a boy, so small that Ezra cried in astonishment: 

“ Have you gone adrift, kid? ” 

“Adrift nothin’; I’m out haulin’ traps, that’s 
what’s the matter, an’ a nice time of night it is to be 
’tendin’ to sich work alone ! ” 

“ Why don’t you get a bigger dory? ” Dick asked 
laughingly, and the small boy replied in a tone of 
mingled disgust and anger: 

“ Wouldn’t it make you tired to see sich an ark 
of a craft as this? Abel Saunders had the idee of 
gettin’ all he could for his money, when he bought 
her, I reckon ! It makes a man’s back ache to pull 
the lumpin’ thing I ” 

“An’ what does it do to a boy of your size?” 
and now Dick gave way to mirth, for it surely was 
comical to see so small a lad in such a huge boat. 

“ Me? Oh, I can handle her; but don’t hanker 



“ ‘ HAVE YOU GONE ADRIFT, KID ? ’ ” 












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THE CRUISE OF THE PHGEBE 55 

very much after the job,” Thomas Downing replied 
as he came alongside and threw out his painter. 
“ Say, ain’t this a lobster smack? ” 

“ That’s what she is,” Ezra replied as he made 
the painter fast to the rail. 

“ An’ are you fellers runnin’ her all by your lone- 
somes? ” 

“ We’re tryin’ to, though I wouldn’t like to say 
what kind of a job we’re makin’ of it. If you can 
put us into a good harbor, an’ won’t run the boat 
aground, come into the wheel-house.” 

Master Downing leaped over the rail like a 
cricket; Dick, still laughing, went into the engine- 
room, and a few seconds later the Phoebe was under 
way once more, running at half-speed. 

“ Don’t be afraid I’ll scrape the bottom,” Tommy 
Downing said as Ezra cautioned him about taking 
chances. “ I could put her in with my eyes shut, 
an’ not half try.” 

Then the small pilot took the wheel, and while 
the Phoebe was running slowly over the black waters, 
with never a light to guide the helmsman, Ezra 
asked : 

“ Do you tend many traps ? ” 

“ Abel Saunders has got more’n a hundred right 
around here, an’ I look out for ’em. He pulls the 
ones that are on the other side of the point.” 

“ Is he your father? ” 

“ Not much he ain’t, ’cause his name’s Saunders 
an’ mine’s Downing. I’m workin’ my board with 
him, an’ a mighty poor job it is. Say, you fellers 


56 THE CRUISE OF THE PHCEBE 

don’t want a new hand aboard this craft, eh? It 
strikes me you must have a pretty stiff bit of work 
runnin’ sich a boat with only two in the crew.” 

“ We haven’t been out very long, an’ I reckon 
the job will be stiff enough before we’re through with 
it. You see we’ve just started, an’ can’t afford to 
hire a third hand.” 

Master Downing did not reply immediately, but 
stood at the wheel as if conning the steamer a full 
three minutes, when he said abruptly: 

“ Look here. I’m only gettin’ my board with Abel 
Saunders, an’ it’s mighty thin sometimes. S’posen I 
wanted to work with you on the same lay? I’d be 
willin’ to do most anythin’ for the sake of gettin’ 
away from this blessed island.” 

“ How do you know that we’d hitch up to- 
gether?” Ezra asked with a laugh. “You might 
find there was more work aboard this boat than where 
you are now, though I’m willin’ to admit that when 
a boy of your size is called on to pull a hundred 
traps every tide, he’s humpin’ himself considerable.” 

“ I couldn’t get it worse than it’s cornin’ now, an’ 
besides, what I’m after is to get near a big town 
where a boy will have a chance to show what he’s 
made of. Say, better get your anchor ready, for 
here’s where you’ll haul up for the night.” 

Ezra tried in vain to make out something that 
looked like a harbor; but so dense was the black- 
ness that if the Phoebe had run into a fog-bank the 
surroundings could not have been more thoroughly 
shut out from view. 

However, Tommy Downing appeared to know ex- 


THE CRUISE OF THE PHCEBE 57 

actly where he was, and the partners had really com- 
mitted the smack to his charge, therefore nothing re- 
mained save to obey such orders as he might give. 

“ Slow down! ” he called in a tone of command, 
and added half apologetically, “ I don’t know where 
your signal bells are, so you’ll have to pass the 
word.” 

This Ezra did by shouting to Dick, and a mo- 
ment later came the commands : 

“ Stop her! Let go your anchor! ” 

“Where are we? ” Dick asked as he came out of 
the cuddy, striving in vain to distinguish objects in 
the inky darkness. 

“ You’re in the thoroughfare right enough, an’ 
unless we get a wind dead to the suth’ard, you can 
lay here, no matter how much of a storm comes up,” 
Tommy Downing said as he came out of the wheel- 
house. “ A single anchor will be enough to hold, 
an’ when your ridin’ lights are up there’ll be no need 
of standin’ watch.” 

It was the work of but a few moments to hoist the 
lanterns, and then Ezra led the way into the cuddy, 
saying as he did so : 

“ I reckon if we’re countin’ on supper to-night it 
will be a good idea to get about it, for the better part 
of the evenin’ is gone.” 

Master Downing followed his new acquaintance 
into the cabin without waiting for an invitation, and 
after having made a leisurely survey of the place, he 
turned to Ezra with the question : 

“ Well, what do you think about takin’ on a new 
hand, meanin’ me? ” 


58 THE CRUISE OF THE PHGEBE 

“ What’s that? ” Dick asked quickly, and Tommy 
Downing immediately repeated the proposition he 
had made to Ezra, adding in conclusion: 

“ I’m willin’ to do the square thing by you fellers 
if you’ll give me a show. Don’t think I’m whinin’ 
’round, cornin’ the beggin’ act over you, ’cause if it 
turns out that I can’t pay my way. I’ll go over the 
rail without waitin’ for you to ask me.” 

“Haven’t you got any folks down here?” and 
Ezra began to believe that Tommy might prove a 
valuable assistant. 

“ Not a hooter I Abel Saunders allowed he was 
workin’ the charity gag when he took me in, an’ I’ve 
told him every day for three months that as soon as 
I could strike anythin’ better I’d leave.” 

“ If you’re askin’ my opinion. I’d say take him 
an’ be glad of the chance to get a third hand,” Dick 
said decidedly, and, without waiting for a reply from 
his partner, asked Tommy, “ You know the islands 
’round here pretty well, don’t you ? ” 

“ I should say I did, seein’s how I’ve never been 
away from ’em.” 

“ How long have you been lobsterin’ ? ” 

“ Three years. Why I wasn’t bigger’n nothin’ 
when Abel Saunders set me to work pullin’ that big 
lump of a dory.” 

“ An’ you ain’t much larger now,” Ezra said with 
a laugh. “ If my partner is willin’ we’ll make this 
agreement. Tommy, providin’ you’re of any help to 
us in the business: In case we make money you 
shall get a fair kind of wages, an’ if we don’t, you 


THE CRUISE OF THE PHCEBE 59 

work for your board, accordin’ to your own propo- 
sition.” 

“ It’s a go ! ” Master Downing cried eagerly and 
joyously. “When may I come aboard?” 

“ To-night, if so be that will give Mr. Saunders 
a chance to hire another boy in your place.” 

“He hire one I” Tommy cried contemptuously. 
“ There ain’t anybody ’round here who’d Work for 
him, an’ it’s a sure thing / wouldn’t, only till I could 
get another job. If one of you will help me launch 
your dory. I’ll tow her ashore, so’s to have some- 
thin’ to come back in, an’ you’ll see me here in less 
than three shakes.” 

“ Go ahead with the supper, Ezra, an’ I’ll help 
launch the boat,” Dick said quickly, so overjoyed at 
the prospect of having a third hand aboard as to 
be willing to do almost anything to expedite mat- 
ters. 

Five minutes later, when Tommy Downing pulled 
shoreward in the big dory, towing the Phoebe’s boat 
astern, his voice could be heard on the night air in 
triumphant tones, as he sang: 

“ I’se bound to run all day, 

I’se bound to run all night; 

I’ve bet my money on a bob-tailed nag, 
Somebody’s bettin’ on the bay.” 

“ Well, what do you think of that? ” Dick asked 
laughingly as he entered the cuddy. “ He isn’t very 
big, but he acts as if he might know his business.” 

“ We’ve let him go off with our boat when it’s so 


6o THE CRUISE OF THE PHCEBE 


dark that we couldn’t swear there was any land within 
five miles,” Ezra said doubtfully, whereupon Dick 
asked in surprise: 

“ Surely you’re not thinkin’ a little duffer like him 
would try to play any such dirty trick as stealin’ a 
boat?” 

“ It wouldn’t have come into my mind if we hadn’t 
had the experience with Barnes; but since then I’m 
distrustin’ everybody,” Ezra said ruefully. “ How- 
ever, there’s no fear in my mind but that he’ll flash 
up again all right, an’ I believe we’ve made a good 
trade in takin’ him on.” 

“ Surely we can’t lose much, because he doesn’t 
set a high price on his services, an’ should be able 
to help us out in great shape, for he must know all 
the fishermen hereabout.” 

“ Our runnin’ across him is a bit of good luck, I 
believe, for it’s certain that only two of us couldn’t 
run the Phoebe very many weeks alone, an’ he has 
already shown that he can stand his trick at the wheel, 
if nothin’ more.” 

“ I’m satisfied to have him,” Ezra replied, “ an’ 
am hopin’ that we can afford to pay the little fellow 
something in the way of wages, for it seems pretty 
tough to ask a boy to work as hard as he must aboard 
this craft, for nothin’ more’n what he can eat.” 

“If you will peel those potatoes an’ get a lobster 
from the well. I’ll make a chowder.” 

The partners were yet busily engaged in the task 
of cooking supper when they heard from the direction 
of the shore Tommy’s voice raised loud and shrill 


THE CRUISE OF THE PHOEBE 6i 


with but little music in it, as he sang that which ap- 
peared to be his favorite ditty: 

“ I’se bound to run all day, 

I’se bound to run all night; 

I’ve bet my money on a bob-tailed nag, 
Somebody’s bettin’ on the bay.” 

“ Wasn’t long, eh? ” he said as he came over the 
rail with a bound, and deftly made the Phoebe’s dory 
fast. “ I only stopped to gather up what little dun- 
nage I owned, without makin’ overly much talk to 
Abel Saunders. He allowed I was foolin’, in the 
hope of makin’ him pay me wages, ’cause he hadn’t 
seen any craft put in here, but he’ll find out in the 
mornin’.” 

“What did you do with your things?” Dick 
asked. 

“ Left ’em in the dory. They don’t amount to 
much; jest some old oil skins an’ a couple pair of 
boots without a great deal to ’em except legs.” 

“Are those all the clothes you’ve got?” Dick 
asked sharply. 

“ Why, yes; what’s the matter with them? They 
don’t look so terrible fine. I’ll agree ; but Miss Saun- 
ders kept ’em darned up pretty well. Makin’ a 
chowder, eh? Well, now, you know, I’m a master 
hand at that kind of work, an’ I’d jest like to show 
what I can do. Of course I don’t allow I’m any 
swell cook; but when it comes to chowders, fryin’ 
fish, or anythin’ like that, it’s pretty hard to beat me, 
if I do say it.” 


62 THE CRUISE OF THE PHCEBE 


“Go ahead then, an’ try your hand; I’m willin’ 
to quit the job,” Ezra said laughingly, and Tommy 
set about the task of showing his new employers how 
valuable an assistant he could be. 

That the small boy was accustomed to such work 
could readily be seen once he had gotten the mate- 
rials together, and while he was thus engaged Ezra 
asked carelessly, never thinking it might be possible 
to learn something which would not be particularly 
agreeable : 

“ I suppose you know all the fishermen roundabout 
here? ” 

“ That’s what I do,” Tommy replied as he began 
to fry pork for the chowder. 

“ Do you suppose we’ll have a chance to pick up 
a thousand or more lobsters within a day or two? ” 

“ What are you payin’ ? ” 

“ Eight cents a pound cash.” 

“What do they fetch in the market?” 

“ Fourteen.” 

“ Well, I allow you ought’er. There’s quite a 
good many of ’em here. When the Trefethens’ 
smack was in last week they was givin’ six. Now 
Abel Saunders must have two or three hundred; but 
he’s a terrible snug man to deal with ! He wants an 
extra cent, an’ then one more. It won’t do any 
harm for you to try. Then there’s the old man Bar- 
ker over the other side; he ought’er have pretty nigh 
a car full by this time. How many did you say 
you wanted?” 

“ Well, we could pay for about eighteen hundred. 
You see we’re just startin’ in the business, an’ haven’t 


THE CRUISE OF THE PHCEBE 63 

a very big capital. There are six hundred in the 
well now.” 

‘‘ I allow you could get what you want without 
stoppin’ ’round here more’n a couple of days. Abel 
Saunders, he’ll go by here, seein’s he’s got to pull his 
own traps, by daybreak to-morrow, an’ if you hail 
him you’ll get nigh to half as many as you want. 
Say, where do your folks live?” 

“ Westbay.” 

“ Is that anywhere near Portland?” 

“ About ten miles from there along the coast.” 

“ Don’t reckon you ever heard tell of a man by 
the name of ’Liphalet Barnes, did you? He’s up in 
the county jail now, they tell me.” 

The partners looked at each other in surprise, and 
because neither replied. Tommy said shrewdly: 

“ I reckon you’ve heard of him all right. Power- 
ful tough man, is ’Liphalet, an’ there are a good many 
folks alongshore here who’ll be sorry when he gets 
out.” 

“Why?” Dick asked. “Does he try to make 
trouble?” 

“ I don’t know as he tries very hard; but somehow 
or other there’s always a row on wherever he is. You 
see he ain’t willin’ to earn an honest livin’, so he 
runs liquor up here from the Provinces. I don’t 
reckon he pays very much for it down there, an’ he 
gets a good price from the fishermen that are foolish 
enough to deal with him. It must be pretty hard 
stuff, ’cause there’s always a mixup of some kind after 
the folks get hold of it.” 

“ Well, your friend Eliphalet Barnes is probably 


64 THE CRUISE OF THE PHCEBE 

over in Vinalhaven now,” Ezra said, and then he told 
Tommy of the adventure which he and Dick had 
had with this same smuggler. 

“Well, I declare for it! You fellers have had 
what I call luck, if you ever had ’Liphalet Barnes 
aboard here an’ got rid of him without the tallest 
kind of a row. So he frightened you, eh? Well, 
he’s jest mean enough to do anythin’ sneakin’. 
However, it seems to me two fellers like you ought’er 
keep your eyes open wide enough to choke him off. 
If this was my craft, he never’d step his foot over 
the rail without gettin’ his nose broken, an’ I 
shouldn’t stop to ask many questions before I pitched 
in, either.” 

“ I reckon the three of us can keep him at a dis- 
tance, unless he’s got a lot of cronies ’round here 
who will lend a hand.” 

“ You needn’t be afraid of anythin’ like that, an’ 
here’s where the funny part of the whole business 
comes in, ’cordin’ to my way of thinkin’,” Tommy 
said as he alternately stirred the chowder with a large 
iron spoon, and made appropriate gestures with it, 
“ You couldn’t find a man from here to the Gut of 
Canso who’d be willin’ to chum with him, an’ yet it 
seems like as if all hands was afraid to go contrary 
to anythin’ he said. That ain’t the first time he’s 
been in jail, an’ it won’t be the last, unless he turns 
over a new leaf mighty sudden. Say, this ’ere chow- 
der is what you might call done.” 

“ Let’s have it right away, for I’m hungry enough 
to eat a good deal more’n half of what you’ve got 


THE CRUISE OF THE PHCEBE 65 

there,” Dick said laughingly, and Ezra added, with 
no little concern in his tones: 

“ I vote that we don’t think or talk of Eliphalet 
Barnes any more, for I’m tired of him. Knowin’ 
what to expect, we ought to keep him at a distance, 
an’ I reckon we can. Now let’s get down to the 
table, an’ see what Tommy has done.” 

That Master Downing was an expert, at least so 
far as chowder-making goes, was soon proven a fact 
to the satisfaction of the partners, and when he had 
eaten at least twice as much as a lad of his size 
should have indulged in, Dick said in a tone of con- 
tent as he began to help clear away the things from 
the table: 

“ I’m thinkin’ we were mighty lucky in runnin’ 
across you. Tommy, for if you know how to cook 
other things as well as you have this chowder, we 
shall get along famously.” 

“ You fellers can turn in, an’ I’ll wash the dishes 
myself,” Tommy said, with a smile of pleasure, be- 
cause of the praise bestowed, overspreading his face. 
“ I reckon you’re tired enough, an’ I haven’t had 
it so terrible hard to-day.” 

“You’ve pulled a hundred pots, haven’t you?” 
Ezra asked, hesitating as to whether he would be 
warranted in leaving to this willing little worker 
all the labor of clearing up the cuddy. 

“ Yes, but that don’t count, you see, ’cause it ain’t 
a day’s work. If I hadn’t shipped aboard this ’ere 
steamer. I’d be milkin’ three cows an’ takin’ care 
of a yoke of oxen, before I got the least little thing 


66 THE CRUISE OF THE PHOEBE 


to put into my tooth. Abel Saunders says he don’t 
count on keepin’ cats that don’t catch mice, an’ I 
began to believe he meant it before I’d been with him 
a week. You two turn in, an’ I’ll tend to this little 
triflin’ job.” 

Whether or no Tommy was skillful in the art of 
washing disKes, neither Ezra nor Dick knew on this 
first night, for before he had well begun the task 
they were sleeping soundly, never rousing to con- 
sciousness even for a moment, until the shrill voice 
of the new “hand” announced: 

“ It’s mighty nigh daybreak, an’ if you want to 
catch Abel Saunders it’s time you was stirrin’ your 
stumps, ’cause I’m allowin’ he’ll be gettin’ that lump 
of a dory under way about as soon as it grows 
light.” 

When the partners leaped out of their bunks, not 
a little confused by their sudden awakening, it was 
to find that Tommy Downing had a really plentiful 
breakfast already prepared, and Ezra asked in amaze- 
ment : 

“ Did you sit up all night in order to have things 
ready so early?” 

“ Not a bit of it,” Tommy replied with a little 
gurgling laugh of content. “ I turned in when the 
dishes were washed, an’ didn’t get up any sooner than 
if I’d been at Abel Saunders’. He don’t allow that 
folks need sich a terrible sight of sleep, an’ I’ve 
kind’er got into the habit of movin’ ’round so’s to get 
the small chores done up before daylight. How 
about eatin’ breakfast now, so’s to be ready to get 
under way as soon as we see him? If you hump 


THE CRUISE OF THE PHCEBE 67 

yourselves you ought’er take in what lobsters you’re 
needin’, ’twixt now an’ night.” 

“ An’ I reckon we shall do that all right, if we 
have you to stir us around,” Dick said laughingly, 
as he seated himself at the table, and again the part- 
ners congratulated themselves on their good for- 
tune in having secured so valuable an assistant with- 
out binding themselves to pay more in the way of 
wages than the business would safely admit. 

The meal had hardly more than come to an end, 
when Tommy, pricking up his ears as it were, said 
excitedly : 

“ Here comes Abel Saunders, an’ you’d better nail 
him now, else it’ll be a case of waitin’ till nigh to 
noon.” 

Having said this. Master Downing went on deck 
followed by his employers, and an instant later he 
was hailing in shrill tones the captain of the ark-like 
dory which was coming out from the gloom, heading 
directly toward the Phoebe. 

“ Say, Mr. Saunders, these ’ere fellers are buyin’ 
lobsters, an’ are willin’ to give eight cents in cash for 
’em, allowin’ they’ll average a pound an’ a half. Do 
you want to sell?” 

“ Hello, Tommy I Is this where you’ve gone to 
work? ” 

“ Do you want to sell your lobsters, Mr. Saun- 
ders? ” 

“ It strikes me eight cents a pound is a leetle low 
at this time of year,” the fisherman replied with a 
drawl, and shipping his oars as if to give himself an 
opportunity to consider thoroughly the proposition. 


68 THE CRUISE OF THE PHOEBE 


“ It’s two cents more’n you got from the Trefeth- 
ens last week, an’ these fellers are ready to pay spot 
cash.” 

“ Well, I’ll think about it. Tommy. It strikes me, 
though, that lobsters are goin’ up, an’ I’d better hold 
on a spell.” 

“ All right, Mr. Saunders; jest as you say. These 
fellers don’t want sich a terrible slat any how, an’ 
I reckon they’ll pick ’em up alongshore ’twixt now 
an’ noon. Be kind’er tender with that starboard 
oar, ’cause it’s cracked.” Then Tommy turned as 
if believing the interview was at an end, and asked 
in a whisper of Ezra, “ Do you want to say anything 
to the old curmudgeon? He thinks his lobsters are 
always worth a little more’n anybody’s else.” 

“ I reckon you can beat us at tradin’. Tommy, so 
we’ll leave the matter in your hands so far as Mr. 
Saunders is concerned,” Ezra replied with a laugh, 
and then, as if to aid Master Downing’s method of 
bargaining, he turned to go into the cuddy, when Mr. 
Saunders hailed: 

“ If you’re willin’ to give nine cents, I ain’t so cer- 
tain but I could let you have three or four hun- 
dred.” 

“ Eight is all we’re payin’,” Ezra said, curtly, 
and Tommy, with a mischievous twinkle in his eyes, 
asked : 

“ Shall I weigh anchor now? ” 

“ You may as well,” Dick replied. “ It’s Ezra’s 
turn below to-day, an’ I’ll take the wheel.” 

“ Don’t be in sich a pesky hurry,” Mr. Saunders 
cried, believing the lobster buyers were about to take 


THE CRUISE OF THE PHCEBE 69 

their departure. “ I ain’t sure but I’ll let you have 
some of mine.” 

“ It’s a case of humpin’ yourself then,” Tommy re- 
plied with a comical air of authority. “ These fel- 
lers want to fill up to-night, an’ I’ve agreed to show 
them where it can be done, so there ain’t much time 
for foolin’ ’round here.” 

“ Say eight an’ a half cents, an’ they’re yours,” 
Mr. Saunders cried, as if he was offering a rare bar- 
gain. 

“ It’s eight or nothin’,” Tommy said decidedly, 
going forward as if to weigh anchor, and the fisher- 
man, sorely disappointed in not having more of an 
opportunity to haggle over the price, replied in a tone 
that was very like one of despair : 

“ All right, you can take ’em, though it’s jest 
about the same as a free gift. Warp in alongside the 
car there, an’ we’ll put ’em aboard.” 

“ It don’t pay to waste any too much time on Abel 
Saunders,” Tommy said with a gurgle of satisfaction. 
“ He’s mighty glad to get eight cents, ’cause he hasn’t 
had as much as that this year, but he’d like to keep 
you here two or three hours dickerin’.” 

Within ten minutes the Phoebe was alongside Mr. 
Saunders’ car, and Master Downing was examining 
critically each lobster as it was passed on board. 

“ I’ll guarantee that we don’t get anythin’ but 
good fair counts in this lot,” Dick said laughingly 
to Ezra, and the latter replied : 

“ He knows the business all right, an’ if we make 
anythin’ on this trip, Dick, he’s to be paid fair 
wages.” 


70 THE CRUISE OF THE PHCEBE 

Two hundred and fifty lobsters did Mr. Saunders 
transfer from his car to the Phoebe’s well, and Ezra 
counted out from the canvas bag thirty dollars in 
good and lawful money, saying as he handed it to 
the fisherman: 

“ We’ll be around here once in every week or ten 
days, an’ if you care to hold your catch for us, we’ll 
pay as high as any smack can afford.” 

“I ain’t agreein’ right out to anythin’ like that; 
but if your price is as good as the others, I’d as soon 
let ’em go to you, that’s all. Just gone inter the 
business, ain’t you? ” 

“ Yes, this is our first trip.” 

“Where do you hail from?” 

“ Westbay. My name is Upton, an’ my partner 
is Dick Marshall. Perhaps you know his father — 
firm of Marshall & Jordan ? ” 

“ Yes, I’ve hearn tell of him. Quite a decent kind 
of a man, they say. How many more lobsters do 
you want? ” 

“ A little over a thousand.” 

“ Well, I reckon you can pick ’em up along the 
shore here this forenoon. Tommy will show you 
where to go, an’ all I can say is I hope you’ll get along 
with that boy better’n I have. He ain’t overly fond 
of work, an’ that’s a fact; but perhaps you can make 
somethin’ out’er him. He’s gettin’ altogether too 
flighty for this part of the country.” 

With this parting shot Mr. Saunders rowed away 
to attend to the task of hauling traps, and Master 
Downing relieved his feelings by saying in a tone 
sufficiently loud for his late employer to hear: 


THE CRUISE OF THE PHCEBE 71 

“ I’d like to see the boy, or man either, for that 
matter, who could do enough work to please Abel 
Saunders. What he calls bein’ flighty is when a 
feller wants to earn a little somethin’ so’s to buy 
clothes, or give himself a chance of goin’ to school, 
an’ I might’er worked my fingers down to the bone 
before he’d allowed I was worth more’n my keepin’.” 


CHAPTER IV 


“ EASY MONEY 

Even though Messrs. Upton & Marshall had 
been disposed to waste time, the “ new hand ” would 
not have permitted anything of the kind. No sooner 
had the transaction with Mr. Saunders been com- 
pleted than, without waiting for the word of com- 
mand, he weighed anchor, hurried into the wheel- 
house before either of the partners could get there, 
and shouted in a tone which had in it none of that 
respect such as is supposed should be shown by an 
employee to his employer: 

“ Get at that motor now, an’ be lively about it! 
We can’t run the lobster business an’ do much of any 
foolin’ ’round.” 

Ezra was laughing heartily when he obeyed this 
peremptory command; but Dick felt just a trifle dis- 
gruntled as, following his partner below, he said in 
a tone of complaint: 

“ It strikes me we have taken on a captain instead 
of a third hand.” 

“ Now don’t let a little thing like that chafe 
you,” Ezra said soothingly, as he started the motor. 
“ Tommy is eager to show us what can be done, an’ 
surely we shouldn’t grumble when it’s all for the 
benefit of the concern. It isn’t to be supposed that 
a boy who has lived a good portion of his life 
72 


THE CRUISE OF THE PHCEBE 


73 


with such a man as Abel Saunders, would have any 
very great notions of respect for his elders — in fact, 
I ain’t quite certain but that he’s as old as either you 
or me.” 

“ I’m not countin’ in the age,” Dick said, still 
just a trifle irritable; “ but the fact is that we’re the 
ones who are hirin’ him, an’ he should under- 
stand that his place is to obey rather than order us 
about.” 

Now you are makin’ a mountain out of a mole 
hill. So far as our hirin’ him is concerned, we had 
best say very little about it, seein’s he’s workin’ for 
his board, an’ if we, who are in the lobster business 
to make a few dollars rather than for fun, need 
proddin’ now an’ then, I hope Tommy will have sense 
enough to do it.” 

Meanwhile Master Downing, all unconscious that 
he had given any cause for offense, was dancing 
about in the wheel-house, as he held the Phoebe true 
to her course, in a most fantastic manner. The idea 
of having under his control a real steamer was some- 
thing so fascinating that he was unable to behave 
himself exactly as should a lad who was bent only 
on business, and he gave vent to his one song: 

“ I’se bound to run all day, 

I’se bound to run all night; 

I’ve bet my money on a bob-tailed nag. 
Somebody’s bettin’ on the bay.” 

“ What do you say to stoppin’ at the old man 
Barker’s first? ” he shouted, putting his head out of 
the wheel-house door instead of using the speaking 


74 the cruise of THE PHGEBE 

tube. “ I don’t allow he’s got any very great of a 
catch; but every little helps, you know.” 

“ Haul up wherever you think we can make a 
trade,” Ezra replied as he in turn thrust his head 
through the companion-way that he might see this 
amateur captain. ‘‘ If you look sharp you’ll find a 
speakin’ tube in the wheel-house, when you want to 
talk with us below here.” 

“ A speakin’ tube, eh? ” Master Downing replied. 
“ What kind of a thing is that? ” 

“ As you stand facin’ the wheel, look down at 
your right hand, an’ you’ll see a tin tube about as big 
around as your thumb, with what looks to be a wire 
crank on top of it. Turn that crank, an’ then do 
your talkin’.” 

This was something so novel to the “ new hand ” 
that he must needs make immediate trial of it, al- 
though he had nothing in particular to say, and dur- 
ing five minutes or more the partners were kept busy 
answering his needless questions, asked, as he said in 
reply to an impatient remark of Ezra’s, only to “ see 
how the bloomin’ thing worked.” 

It was all so comical, this enthusiasm displayed 
by Abel Saunders’ late employee, that Dick lost every 
vestige of fretfulness, and said with a hearty laugh 
as he turned toward the companion-way: 

“ I reckon I had best go up an’ look after that 
fellow, or he’ll burst with the importance of havin’ 
charge of the Phoebe. It’s as you say, Ezra, we can 
afford to put up with his bein’ a little fresh, because 
I doubt if there’s any other person roundabout here 


THE CRUISE OF THE PHCEBE 75 

who could have served us so well. He’s a diamond 
all right; but needs a deal of polishin’.” 

With Dick in the pilot-house there was no further 
idle conversation through the speaking tube — no 
shouting fore and aft; but when the Phoebe came up 
to where the “ old man Barker ” was hauling traps, 
the proper signals were given to stop her. 

Then it was that once more Tommy took full 
charge of the business, shouting to the fisherman who 
looked up with mild curiosity from his work as the 
little steamer lay close by: 

“ Say, here’s a couple of fellers what have gone 
inter the lobster business, an’ count on gettin’ ’round 
here about once every week. They ain’t tryin’ to cut 
out the Trefethens, or anythin’ like that; but are 
willin’ to give a good price in spot cash if you’ve 
got anythin’ to sell ’em. What’s the matter with 
your lettin’ ’em have what you’ve got in the cars? ” 
“Have you left Abel Saunders?” Mr. Barker 
asked, apparently giving no heed to the proposition. 

“ Yes, I’ve gone inter the business with these fel- 
lers, an’ seein’s you folks ’round here always said 
you’d do me a good turn whenever the signs came 
right, now is the chance to keep your word, for un- 
less I can pick up a load for ’em in decently short 
time, they’ll be likely to give me the bounce. What 
do you say? Shall we take your lobsters? ” 

“What wages are you gettin’, Tommy?” 

“ Well, you see that part of it ain’t exactly fixed 
yet. I’ve come in on what looks to me like a pretty 
good lay; but have got to show how much I’m worth 


76 THE CRUISE OF THE PHCEBE 

before the rest of it is settled. What about the lob- 
sters? ” 

“What are you payin’?’’ 

“ Eight cents, an’ Abel Saunders must have 
thought that was a decent price, else he wouldn’t have 
let us have his.” 

“ Did he sell to you? ” 

“ We cleaned out his car.” 

“ Are lobsters goin’ up? ” 

“ Not as I know of; but you see these fellers are 
makin’ quicker trips than the rest of the smacks, 
an’ can afford to pay jest a bit more. I ain’t allowin’ 
you’ve got so many that we can afford to hang ’round 
very long, an’ so you’ve got to talk quick, Mr. Bar- 
ker. Shall we have ’em? ” 

“ I reckon I may as well clean up ; that is, if you 
pay in cash.” 

“ That’s what we’re doin’, an’ if you’ll get a move 
on we’ll take ’em aboard right lively.” 

Then, without further parley. Master Downing 
said sharply to Dick, as he swung the wheel hard 
down : 

“ Send her ahead at half-speed. There’s the old 
man’s car. He’s slower’n cold molasses, an’ if we 
don’t kind’er rush things it will take all day to get 
through with a little teeny trade like his.” 

Mr. Barker had no other choice than to follow the 
steamer, and thanks to Tommy’s “ hustling ” quali- 
ties, Messrs Upton & Marshall added two hundred 
good lobsters to the number already in the Phoebe’s 
well. 

Ezra counted out twenty-four dollars which he 


The cruise of the phoebe 


77 


paid Mr. Barker after getting a promise from that 
gentleman to hold his catch a reasonable length of 
time for the new concern, and once more the Phoebe 
was on her way. 

Surely Tommy earned his board on this first day, 
for before nightfall he had piloted the boys from one 
fisherman to another with such saving of time that 
they took on board eight hundred more, making the 
number in the well nearly two thousand. 

The Phoebe was anchored in a snug harbor on the 
easterly side of Isle au Haut when night came, and 
while Master Downing, who seemed insensible to fa- 
tigue, was cooking supper, the partners in the wheel- 
house discussed the business of the day. 

“ That boy Tommy is worth more aboard this 
craft than you an’ I put together,” Ezra said em- 
phatically. “ I’m not allowin’ that we shan’t break 
in properly after a while; but until we know the 
fishermen, an’ are thoroughly well acquainted with 
the coast, he’s the one who’s runnin’ things.” 

“ An’ he shall be paid whether we make any money 
or not,” Dick replied decidedly. “ The question is 
whether we had better hang ’round here any longer 
on this cruise? If the market price holds as when 
we left, we have already made what I call a big 
profit.” 

“ Tommy said he could pick up five hundred more 
close at hand, an’ if he hasn’t made any mistake, we 
had better take them, allowin’ to head the Phoebe 
for home by to-morrow noon at the latest.” 

In addition to doing all the bargaining, acting 
as captain of the smack, and playing the part of 


78 THE CRUISE OF THE PHOEBE 

cook, Master Downing had begged a couple of 
fresh codfish, and these he fried to a turn for the 
supper which also served as dinner, for business had 
been driving so hard since morning that the young 
merchants did not deem it advisable to spend time in 
preparing a noon-day meal. 

Ashamed to remain idle while the small boy was 
doing so much work, Ezra and Dick took upon them- 
selves the task of washing the dishes and generally 
setting the deck and cuddy to rights, therefore it was 
yet early in the evening when all the work had been 
performed in a most satisfacory manner. 

Then it was that Master Downing gave new 
proof of his ability, for he entertained his employers 
most acceptably by telling amusing stories of this 
fisherman or that with whom he was acquainted, until 
the boys, tired though they were, really felt unwilling 
to roll into the bunks so long as the new hand was 
in the mood to unfold his budget of stories. 

It was Tommy who awakened them next morning, 
as soon as his own eyes were opened, and laid out 
the program for the morning’s work by saying : 

“ If one of you fellers will get breakfast I’ll run 
the steamer down to Sam Bassett’s, where we ought’er 
find two or three hundred, an’ have ’em aboard be- 
fore you’ve finished the cookin’.” 

As a matter of course the partners agreed to this 
proposition, and Ezra, who acted as cook, had not 
yet concluded his labors when he was called upon to 
pay twenty-four dollars to Mr. Bassett for lobsters 
which had already been put into the well. 

Then it seemed as if luck had deserted Master 


THE CRUISE OF THE PHCEBE 79 

Downing, for he called upon three other fishermen 
without succeeding in making a trade, and when the 
Phoebe was under way after the last unsuccessful at- 
tempt at adding to the cargo, Ezra joined Dick and 
Tommy in the wheel-house. 

“ We have only got money enough for a few 
lobsters more, an’ it begins to look as if we had gath- 
ered up all there are nearabout. Now I believe it 
would pay us better to start for home this minute, 
rather than hang around any longer, for there’s no 
knowin’ how soon the prices may drop.” 

“ The quicker you get there now, the less chance 
there will be of losin’ the whole lot, though I don’t 
allow you’ve got any in the well what’ll get very rav- 
enous yet a while; but when lobsters do take to 
eatin’ each other they make mighty short work of 
it,” Master Downing said with an air of wisdom, 
and thus was the matter decided. 

The Phoebe was at that moment on the westerly 
side of Isle au Haut, and unless the young mer- 
chants were willing to go considerably out of their 
course by putting straight to sea, it would be neces- 
sary to pass between Hurricane island and Vinal- 
haven. 

There was no thought in their minds regarding 
Eliphalet Barnes when the smack was sent on her 
way at full speed, with Ezra and Dick both in the 
cuddy counting their money to make certain no mis- 
takes had been made while paying for their pur- 
chases. 

After it was learned that the cash balance was 
correct, the partners set about figuring how much of 


8o THE CRUISE OF THE PHGEBE 


a profit would come to them providing the market 
price remained the same as when they left port, and 
were yet engaged in this pleasing occupation when the 
new hand whistled through the speaking tube: 

“ Say, there’s a boat puttin’ out from Vinalhaven, 
an’, ’cordin’ to the looks of things, she wants to stop 
us.” 

“Well, why not give them the chance?” Dick 
asked carelessly, paying but little attention to the 
announcement, so fascinating was the task of making 
an estimate of their prospective profits. 

Five minutes later came the signal to slow down, 
for by this time Tommy had made himself acquainted 
with the system of signals, and Ezra ran up the 
companion-way stairs to see who might be near at 
hand. 

“ I believe it’s that miserable smuggler of a 
Barnes!” he exclaimed in a tone very like that of 
fear, and Dick, no less agitated than his partner, 
shouted as he leaped to set the motor in motion once 
more: 

“ Don’t let him come within hailin’ distance, for 
surely we have had enough of that man already I ” 

“ But he’s close alongside, an’ got somebody in 
the dory wrapped up in blankets — looks as if it 
might be a sick man. Better slow down again till 
we hear what he’s got to say, for with three of us 
here I allow he won’t come aboard unless we’re 
willin’.” 

It did seem a bit cowardly to run from one man, 
even though he had sworn vengeance against them, 
and Dick not only acted upon his partner’s sugges- 


THE CRUISE OF THE PHCEBE 8i 


tion, but stopped the screw entirely, after which he 
ran on deck to make certain their very undesirable 
acquaintance did not come alongside. 

There was no question as to the identity of the man 
when the Phoebe was within an hundred feet of the 
dory, and then it could also be seen that in the stern- 
sheets was a human being, so thoroughly well bun- 
dled in wrappings that only one gloved hand could 
be distinguished. 

That Mr. Barnes understood he might be an object 
of suspicion to those who had once set him adrift, 
could be seen when he made no effort to come nearer 
the smack, but lay on his oars a good eighty feet 
away, as he cried in what was evidently intended 
should be a friendly tone: 

“ Look here, lads. Pm allowin’ that you’ve got 
good reason to feel as if I wasn’t your friend; but 
that’s where you’re makin’ a mistake.” 

“ So it seemed day before yesterday, when you 
threatened what you would do to us,” Dick retorted. 

“ Now, now, lads, ain’t you men enough to under- 
stand how another feller might let his tongue run 
loose when he was a bit aroused? I’m willin’ to ad- 
mit that I talked brash ; but bless you, I didn’t mean 
anythin’. It was only a foolish way I’ve got of al- 
lowin’ my temper to get the best of me. Of course 
I ain’t expectin’ you’ll believe it; but at the same 
time I’m blamin’ you a little bit. I’m as good a 
friend as you’ve got on this ’ere coast, an’ don’t kick 
a little bit because you set me adrift after what had 
been done. I reckon you wouldn’t have found any 
fault if I hadn’t put aboard two or three drinks, an’ 


82 THE CRUISE OF THE PHCEBE 


you know no man under the influence of liquor is ac- 
countable for what he says an’ does.” 

“ Did you come out here only to say that? ” Dick 
asked impatiently. 

“ Well, I allowed to let you know how I stood 
in the matter at the first chance ; but didn’t count on 
gettin’ to have speech with you so soon. The 
amount of the story is that I’m tryin’ to do a favor 
for this poor feller here who’s pretty nigh dead with 
the asthma.” 

“ I should suppose the proper place for him was 
ashore,” and Ezra started toward the companion- 
way with the intention of sending the Phoebe ahead 
once more. 

Mr. Barnes evidently understood what the boy 
would do, for he cried pleadingly, as he pointed to- 
ward the bundle of blankets in the stern-sheets : 

“Now don’t be rash, lads; don’t do a thing that 
you’ll be sorry for! Here’s this poor man who 
wants to get to his folks in Portland before he dies, 
an’ there’s no knowin’ when another steamer bound 
for that place will pass this way. I knowed you fel- 
lers would be likely to go back pretty soon, seein’s 
how lobsters were plenty down here, an’ you ought’er 
have a cargo in by this time. Now remember, I 
ain’t talkin’ for myself; but for this poor feller that’s 
so bad off he can’t even speak. I don’t allow to 
be so very good myself; but am thankful to be able 
to say I ain’t wicked enough to turn a cold shoulder 
on them as are dyin’.” 

“ Well,. what is it you mean? ” Dick asked, touched 


THE CRUISE OF THE PHCEBE 83 

by the appeal despite his enmity against the man who 
made it. 

“ All I’m after is for you to take this poor dyin’ 
creeter aboard your smack, an’ land him in Portland. 
He’s got strength enough to walk, even if he can’t 
talk, an’ all you’re to do is to run him alongside the 
pier nearest Portland bridge, givin’ him a chance to 
crawl ashore. Now this is only an act of Christian 
charity; but he ain’t askin’ you to do it for nothin’. 
He’s got the cash — twenty dollars to pay for the 
trouble, an’ if that ain’t easy money, I don’t know 
what it is.” 

As he spoke, Mr. Barnes held in his hand where 
the boys might see them, two bank notes which flut- 
tered temptingly in the air. 

“ But we’ve got no accommodations here for a man 
as sick as he is,” Ezra said hesitatingly, and one who 
was watching Mr. Barnes intently might have fancied 
that a smile of triumph came over his face, as he 
understood by the tone in which the lad spoke that 
his appeal had made an impression. 

“ All you’ve got to do is let him crawl inter a bunk. 
He couldn’t eat if he wanted to, because he’s so far 
gone, an’ he can’t speak. He’s only askin’ for a 
chance to die comfortably among his folks,' an’ the 
people here in Vinalhaven have raised this twenty 
dollars for them as shall carry him to Portland.” 

“ We wouldn’t take money from a dyin’ man,” 
Dick cried emphatically. 

“ But this wouldn’t be takin’ it from him,” Mr. 
Barnes insisted. “ I tell you the folks here on the 


84 THE CRUISE OF THE PHCEBE 

island have raised the money, an’ it’s them as are 
payin’ to give him the privilege he wants of dyin’ 
comfortably. S’posin’ you was so far away from 
everybody you knowed, an’ wanted to die ? 
Wouldn’t you like to be among your own kin ? I’m 
tellin’ you, lads, it don’t make any difference how 
long you may live, you’ll never run across a chance 
to do such a deed of charity, an’ at the same time get 
so much easy money for it, as now. I’ll agree not 
to step my foot on your smack; but sit right here in 
the boat an’ give this poor fellow a boost over the 
rail. Then I’ll pull off, if so be you’re minded to 
hold agin me the words I spoke the other day when 
I wasn’t really myself.” 

“ I don’t see how we can get out of it,” Ezra said 
in a low tone to his partner. “ It isn’t askin’ a great 
deal for us to let that sick fellow lay in one of the 
bunks from now until we get to Portland, an’ if he 
can take care of himself after we’ve got to the pier, 
we wouldn’t be delayed more’n an hour by runnin’ in. 
Besides, if we keep on now, it’s a case of gettin’ there 
in the night, an’ we couldn’t do any business in West- 
bay until mornin’ anyhow. Twenty dollars will 
be a good bit toward addin’ to the profits of the 
cruise.” 

“ If it had been anybody but that miserable Barnes, 
I would say that the man should come aboard without 
a cent; but somehow or other it goes against the 
grain to do anythin’ for him after all his threats.” 

“ It isn’t for him; but for that poor fellow in the 
stern-sheets.” 

Seeing the partners in close conversation. Master 


THE CRUISE OF THE PHCEBE 85 

Downing left the wheel-house, and came aft with no 
idea in his mind but that it was perfectly proper for 
him to break in upon the discussion, even though 
it might be private. 

“ What are you goin’ to do about it? ” he asked, 
and Ezra replied : 

“ I don’t see how we can get out of takin’ him. 
Of course the man wants to get home, if he’s dyin’, 
an’ it won’t put us out any. What do you say? ” 

“ How was it Barnes got mixed up in this thing? ” 
Tommy asked sternly. 

“ Of course we can’t answer that question. Per- 
haps he claimed to know us, an’ the people of Vinal- 
haven thought he was the only one who could do 
the business.” 

“ Well, unless ’Liphalet Barnes could make a dol- 
lar out of it. I’ll never believe he’d do a favor for 
anybody, not even his own father,” Tommy said de- 
cidedly, and Dick added: 

“ I can’t see that we need try to find out why 
Barnes is doin’ this thing. There’s the man in the 
boat, an’ it’s sure he must be mighty sick. The only 
trouble is whether he won’t die on our hands, an’ 
then we would be in a scrape.” 

“ It isn’t likely he’s so badly off as that, or the 
folks at Vinalhaven wouldn’t have tried to put him 
aboard a lobster smack,” Ezra said reflectively. 
“ The question for us to decide is whether we’ll take 
him or not, for if we count on gettin’ to Westbay 
between now and mornin’ we can’t lose a great deal 
more time here. Remember, it’s twenty dollars to 
be added to our profits, an’ if the people of Vinal- 


86 THE CRUISE OF THE PHCEBE 


haven have raised the money there’s no reason why 
we shouldn’t take it.” 

“All right; I’m willin’. He shall come,” Dick 
interrupted, and without waiting to hear anything 
more from his partner or Tommy, he turned toward 
where Mr. Barnes sat patiently awaiting the result 
of the discussion. 

“ You may put him aboard; but it is with the un- 
derstandin’ that he can take care of himself when 
we run alongside the pier in Portland.” 

“ I’m answerin’ for that part of it. He’s mighty 
bad off; but his legs ain’t the worst of him. You 
see the asthma kind of gets hold of the upper part of 
a feller, an’ while he can’t talk, an’ is jest about 
ready to die, he can walk as good as you or me. 
Shall I pull alongside ? ” 

“ You say he doesn’t need anythin’ to eat? ” 

“ Bless you, lad, he couldn’t sw^allow a mouthful 
even if you was to give him the best in the land, an’ 
he can’t talk.” 

“All right; come alongside, but after what hap- 
pened day before yesterday we’re not willin’ you 
should step your foot aboard.” 

“ I don’t want to come, lads, I don’t want to 
come I ” Mr. Barnes said, as he began pulling toward 
the Phoebe. “ Though I’m allowin’ we’ll see the 
day when you’ll be willin’ to admit that while I 
talked wrong when I was under the influence of rum, 
I meant all right, an’ if ever the time comes when 
you’re needin’ a favor, Eliphalet Barnes is the man 
that will dish it out to you on a silver plate.” 

Then the dory pulled gently alongside, Mr. Barnes 


THE CRUISE OF THE PHOEBE 87 

evidently exercising the greatest caution lest he should 
inflict pain upon the invalid by too rough movement, 
and to the surprise of the boys the sick man in the 
stern-sheets arose to his feet with agility, stepping 
over the dory’s thwarts and clambering onto the 
Phoebe’s deck in a manner which was truly astonish- 
ing for one who claimed to be so near the grave. 

However, at the moment the boys gave but little 
heed to this fact. They had been told that the in- 
valid could use his legs without difficulty, and, there- 
fore, it did not seem surprising that he should come 
over the rail unaided. 

Ezra, whose heart had really been touched by the 
story, even though he had allowed the “ easy 
money ” to influence him somewhat in his decision, 
put his arm around the blanket-enveloped figure, 
leading him into the cuddy. Once there he aided 
the poor man to get into one of the bunks, and would 
have taken the blankets from his face but that the in- 
valid gripped them so firmly, which made the effort 
impossible. 

‘‘ It’s mighty warm down here, what with the 
motor an’ the cook-stove, an’ you don’t need to cover 
yourself up like that,” the boy said soothingly, but 
without making any further attempt to remove the 
wrappings. 

Then, bethinking himself that possibly Mr. Barnes 
might give them the slip before paying over the 
money, he ran on deck just in time to see Dick take 
the bank-notes from the smuggler’s outstretched hand. 

“ I wouldn’t bother the poor chap by tryin’ to talk 
to him,” Mr. Barnes said as he took up the oars pre- 


88 THE CRUISE OF THE PHOEBE 


paratory to pulling away. “ Jest let him lay where 
he is, without your interferin’ in any way, an’ when it 
comes time to set him ashore, take him by the shoul- 
der. He’ll know what to do after that. It won’t 
be the least little bit of use to speak, ’cause he can’t 
understand — I mean that he’s got sich a dose of the 
asthma that he can’t move his tongue. I reckon 
you’re countin’ to push straight on for Portland? ” 

“ We shan’t stop until we get there,” Dick replied 
in quite a friendly tone, for he was beginning to 
think that perhaps they had wronged Mr. Barnes in 
believing him to be a thorough scoundrel. 

“ All right. Tommy, we’ll let her go now ! ” Ezra 
cried as he ran into the cuddy again, and a moment 
later the Phoebe was under way once more with a 
big bone in her teeth. 

Ezra went toward the bunk where the supposed 
sick man lay, and, without expecting a reply, said 
in a kindly tone : 

“ I’m goin’ on deck for a while — the motor will 
take care of itself quite a spell. If there’s any- 
thin’ you want, pound on the deck, an’ one of us will 
come below in a jiffy. It seems to me you’d be more 
comfortable by takin’ off some of them blankets, but 
of course you know best.” 

The invalid made no reply, and the lad ran up the 
companion-way stairs feeling remarkably happy, for 
surely they had made thus far a most successful 
cruise, and the twenty dollars Mr. Barnes had given 
for the passage of the dying man would more than 
pay all the expenses. 

“ Tommy shall have five dollars a week so long as 


THE CRUISE OF THE PHCEBE 89 

business holds out like this/’ he said to himself, “ an’ 
if we can get two or three more passengers who’ll pay 
as much money as he has, it’ll help out on the season 
in great shape.” 

Then he had come to the wheel-house where his 
partner and Tommy Downing were having quite an 
animated discussion, the new hand saying just as 
Ezra entered: 

“ I never heard before that Eliphalet Barnes was 
willin’ to do even his own father a favor, ’less he 
could make a dollar by it, an’ it puzzles me to know 
what kind of a game he’s playin’ this time I ” 

“ There’s no need of turnin’ it over in your mind 
very long,” Ezra replied with a laugh. “ Barnes 
told the people at Vinalhaven that we would likely 
go up Portland way within a short time, an’ because 
he’s seen us, they sent him out with the sick man. 
I’d never forgiven myself if we’d refused to take the 
poor fellow aboard simply on account of not likin’ 
the smuggler. Say, Tom, if Dick is willin’, I’m al- 
lowin’ that we can afford to pay you five dollars for 
the first week’s work, an’ if things keep on as they’ve 
been goin’, you’ll have the same amount every seven 
days.” 

“ That’s no more than fair,” the junior partner re- 
plied, “ an’ accordin’ to my thinkin’ you’ve already 
earned every cent of the money. If it hadn’t been 
for you we’d be cruisin’ ’round Isle au Haut this 
very minute with no more than half a cargo aboard.” 

“ Do you really mean all that? ” Master Downing 
asked incredulously, his eyes sparkling with delight. 
“ Five dollars is a big pile of money — more’n I ever 


90 THE CRUISE OF THE PHCEBE 

had in all my life, an’ if you fellers can afford to pay 
so much you may jest set it down that I’ll have some 
decent clothes for once. What I’ve been wantin’ 
more’n anythin’ else is a pair of stockin’s, same’s I 
used to have; but Abel Saunders, he was allers 
preachin’ ’bout it bein’ healthy for boys to go with- 
out stockin’s, an’ wouldn’t give me any even in the 
winter. It was mighty tough on the feet to be pullin’ 
pots when your boots would be reg’larly caked up 
with ice.” 

“ You’ll have the stockin’s all right. Tommy, 
whether we make a dollar or not. The people up 
Westbay way don’t have the same ideas as does Mr. 
Saunders, an’ you shall have decent clothes if I pay 
for them out of my own money,” Dick said emphat- 
ically. “ Do you know the coast any further east 
than where we found you ? ” 

“ I’ll agree to put this craft inter every cove from 
here to Passamaquoddy bay without ever lettin’ her 
touch bottom, an’ that whether it’s in the day-time or 
night. Abel Saunders has sent me out fishin’ with 
the old man Barker two or three times every sum- 
mer, and I know the coast same’s I do Abel’s pas- 
ture.” 

“ Then we’ll make a longer cruise next time,” Ezra 
said thoughtfully. “ If nothin’ happens we ought to 
be at anchor off Westbay before daybreak to-mor- 
row, an’ by nightfall our lobsters will be packed an’ 
shipped, for I’m allowin’ Dick’s father will help us 
out on the sellin’. We haven’t to put any stores 
aboard, except it may be a barrel of gasoline, an’ 


THE CRUISE OF THE PHCEBE 91 

should be able to start on the second cruise within 
twenty-four hours after makin’ port.” 

“ I don’t see why it couldn’t be done,” Master 
Downing replied, wrinkling his brows as if struggling 
to think whether anything more would be needed 
in the way of additional outfit. “ You fellers are to 
understand that I’m mighty glad you run across me, 
an’ if the time ever comes when I forget what you’re 
doin’ for me, I hope somebody will soak my head till 
there’s a little sense in it. After what I had at 
Abel Saunders’, work aboard a craft like this ain’t 
much more’n play, an’ I can do the whole of the 
cookin’, besides takin’ my trick at the wheel an’ 
handlin’ lobsters, without turnin’ a hair.” 


CHAPTER V 

MR. BARNES’ TRICK 

The boys discussed the business of buying lobsters 
in all its bearings, even going so far into the future 
as to suggest that when it was time for Dick to begin 
his collegiate course, there was a possibility Tommy 
might be allowed to take his place in the firm. 

And during all this while but little thought was 
bestowed upon the invalid, save when Ezra ran be- 
low now and then to attend to the motor, and on re- 
turning to the wheel-house he had ever the same re- 
port : 

“ I don’t wonder that fellow’s sick, if he keeps him- 
self wrapped up all the time same’s he is now. The 
cuddy is boilin’ hot, yet there he lays with a thick 
blanket over his face, an’ wearin’ gloves. He 
ought’er be roasted to death by this time ! ” 

“ Perhaps he is dead,” Dick suggested in a whis- 
per; but Ezra had no such fear. 

“ I staggered against him the last time I was in 
the cabin, makin’ believe that the heavin’ of the smack 
was the cause of it, an’ he rolled way over in the 
bunk, at the same time takin’ mighty good care that 
the blanket shouldn’t slip off his face.” 

“ Some day we’ll find out what kind of a trick 
Eliphalet Barnes had up his sleeve when he put that 
case of asthma aboard this craft,” Tommy said with 
92 


THE CRUISE OF THE PHGEBE 


93 


a significant shrug of the shoulders. “ If every man 
in Vinalhaven should swear himself black in the face 
tryin’ to make me believe Barnes was doin’ the sick 
man a favor, without countin’ on gettin’ anything for 
himself, I wouldn’t swallow it. What about cookin’ 
dinner while he’s there jest ready to die? It’ll be 
wicked hot in the cuddy after a fire has been built in 
the stove.” 

“ We’ll have to get along with cold grub to-day, 
an’ it won’t hurt us a little bit,” Ezra replied 
promptly. “ Of course we wouldn’t be mean enough 
to start a fire while he’s there dyin’.” 

“ It stands to reason we wouldn’t, especially since 
the poor fellow has paid good big money for a 
passage,” Dick added. “ I’d be willin’ to eat a cold 
dinner every day in the week, if by so doin’ we could 
scoop in twenty dollars.” 

Therefore it was that the boys ate their noon-day 
meal in the wheel-house, Ezra going into the cuddy 
at intervals of ten minutes or more to make certain 
the motor was running properly, and at such times 
taking every precaution lest he should disturb the 
sick passenger who was so careful to screen his face. 

The Phoebe made her way to port, as Dick ex- 
pressed it, like a lady, and when night came it seemed 
certain she would arrive at her destination before 
daylight. The crew made no effort to gain any 
sleep; but remained on duty until about an hour be- 
fore sunrise, when the smack ran alongside Union 
pier in the city of Portland, Ezra going below to 
notify his passenger, while Tommy made fast a sin- 
gle hawser. 


94 the cruise of THE PHCEBE 

“ Here we are at your home,” Ezra said in a low 
tone, leaning over the supposedly sick man to learn 
if he was awake. “ Will you come out now? ” 

The only sign of life shown was when the invalid 
clutched the blankets yet more tightly lest a breath 
of fresh air should reach his face, and Ezra repeated 
the question a trifle impatiently with no better result. 

“ Barnes said you was to take him by the arm an’ 
walk him ashore,” Dick cried from the companion- 
way as his partner stood by the side of the bunk un- 
certain what course to pursue while the man thus re- 
mained motionless. 

“ We’ve got to get him ashore if we count on 
makin’ Westbay in time to ship our cargo,” Ezra 
muttered as he seized the asthmatic passenger firmly 
by the arm, and to his surprise the sick man rose 
obediently, but without uncovering his face. 

It was a simple matter to urge him up the com- 
panion-way stairs, where Dick assisted in the dis- 
embarkation by leading the invalid across the deck 
to the pier, which, owing to the fact that the tide 
was at its height, rose above the Phoebe’s rail no 
more than six inches. 

Here the passenger groped about with one hand, 
as if feeling his way, but still holding the blanket 
around his head, and Dick asked impatiently: 

“ Why don’t you at least uncover one eye so’s to 
see where you’re goin’ ? I’m allowin’ there wouldn’t 
be any risk of takin’ cold while the weather is so 
warm.” 

No reply was made to this remark; but, after 
much searching with one hand, the invalid evidently 



€€ 




DICK 


LED THE INVALID ACROSS THE DECK TO THE PIER 




THE CRUISE OF THE PHCEBE 


95 


succeeding in understanding the situation, for he 
clambered onto the pier with remarkable agility 
for one so near death, and in a twinkling was lost 
to view within the shadows of the buildings. 

“ Well, if everybody who has the asthma acts as 
queerly as that, it must be a high old disease,” Dick 
exclaimed when the passenger disappeared so sud- 
denly. “ It almost seemed as if he was afraid we’d 
see his face 1 ” 

“ I’m mighty glad we’ve got rid of him,” Ezra 
added with a long-drawn sigh of relief. “ He’s the 
funniest sick man I ever saw, an’ I’m beginnin’ to 
think there’s more’n asthma that’s troublin’ him.” 

“ No matter how funny he is, that twenty dol- 
lars was easy money,” Dick replied gleefully. 
“ Now that it’s earned, let’s get over home as soon 
as possible. It’s mighty near daybreak, an’ we’ve 
got a long job before us if we count on disposin’ 
of our cargo before night.” 

The citizens of Westbay were already astir when 
the Phoebe came alongside the pier in front of Mar- 
shall & Jordan’s shop, and Dick’s father was the 
first to greet them. 

“ You tired of the business quickly,” he said ques- 
tioningly, and his son replied triumphantly: 

“ We only lack forty of having as many as our 
money would buy. We thought it wouldn’t pay 
to lay over another day just for the sake of those 
few.” 

“ You have done very well indeed,” Mr. Mar- 
shall said in a tone of mingled approbation and sur- 
prise, “ and perhaps it is as well that you came back, 


96 THE CRUISE OF THE PHOEBE 

for I had a telegram from Boston yesterday, offer- 
ing fifteen cents for lobsters delivered there.” 

“ How did the dealers know you had any to 
sell ? ” Dick asked in astonishment. 

“ I wrote to two or three firms the day you 
started out, thinking it might aid you. Where did 
you pick up the new hand?” and Mr. Marshall 
looked inquiringly at Tommy. 

“We found him at Isle au Haut; he knows all 
the fishermen roundabout there, an’ if it hadn’t been 
for him the Phcebe would be still huntin’ a cargo. 
Say, father, we made twenty dollars easy money 
last night.” 

“How was that?” Mr. Marshall asked with 
mild curiosity, and in as few words as possible, for 
he was in a hurry to begin packing lobsters for ship- 
ment, Dick told the story of their adventures with 
Mr, Barnes and his proposition that they bring the 
sick man to Portland. 

“You say you didn’t see his face?” Mr. Mar- 
shall asked with more of earnestness in his tone than 
the boys thought was warranted by the facts. 

“ No, sir; he kept himself done up in the blankets 
mighty well, bein’ so sick that he was afraid of 
gettin’ cold, I reckon.” 

“ And now tell me once more what you did with 
him? ” 

Dick repeated the story of their setting the in- 
valid ashore, and there was an expression of deep 
anxiety on Mr. Marshall’s face as he said curtly: 

“ Come to the office with me.” 

“ Do you suppose he’s cross because we brought 


THE CRUISE OF THE PHCEBE 


97 


that poor man with us?” Ezra asked in perplexity 
as he and his partner followed Mr. Marshall, 
Tommy having been left to care for the Phoebe. 

“ Perhaps he thinks we haven’t any right to lug 
’round passengers when we’re out to get a cargo,” 
Dick replied carelessly. “ It won’t pay to stay with 
him very long if we’re goin’ to ship those lobsters 
to-day.” 

But the boys did remain in Mr. Marshall’s office 
a much longer time than they had fancied might be 
required, for when they were inside with the door 
closed so that no one might hear the conversation, 
Dick’s father took up a newspaper which had been 
lying on his desk, and read the following article: 

“ Smuggling Chinese. 

“ The customs officers have for some time been 
on the trail of a number of men whom it is believed 
have been engaged in the smuggling of Chinese 
across the border. Last Tuesday a lone son of the 
Flowery Kingdom was picked up on the road near 
Sullivan, and, failing to show a certificate, was taken 
in charge to be carried to Ellworth. He appeared 
so mild and inoffensive that the officers sent but one 
man in a light carriage with him, and on the way 
the wily Chinese succeeded in making his escape. 
Later it was learned that he had been seen in Vinal- 
haven with a number of men who are well known as 
smugglers, and it is believed that the officers are hot 
on the trail of those who have made a business of 
thus adding illegally to the population of the United 
States. Every effort will be made to round up this 


98 THE CRUISE OF THE PHCEBE 

heathen Chinee, and once again in custody it is not 
likely he will be able to give his captors the slip as 
easily as before. That those who are engaged in 
the lucrative business of smuggling Chinese will soon 
come to grief, is the opinion of the officers interested 
in the case.” 

Mr. Marshall read this news item slowly, and 
with emphasis, saying when he had come to an end : 

“ If I am not mistaken, boys, your passenger with 
the asthma who was afraid to uncover his face, and 
who gave no heed when you spoke to him, was this 
same Chinaman referred to in the article I have 
read. Your friend Mr. Barnes has played a fine 
trick on you, and one that is likely to cost all the 
profit you can make on this cargo of lobsters, if not 
more, for it is a most serious business.” 

“But what can we do, father?” Dick asked in 
a tearful tone. “We didn’t know that the fellow 
was a Chinaman, an’ even if we had. I’m thinkin’ 
it wouldn’t have made very much difference, so far as 
I’m concerned, for this is the first time I ever heard 
it was a crime to take a laundryman from one place 
to another.” 

“ It is a crime to aid in bringing into the United 
States a Chinese emigrant, who had not previously 
lived in this country,” Mr. Marshall explained. 
“ Those who resided here prior to the passage of 
the act which forbids all emigration from that coun- 
try, are provided with a certain document to show 
that they came here legitimately, and those not so 
safeguarded are sent by the proper authorities back 


THE CRUISE OF THE PHOEBE 99 

to China. Now, I don’t claim to be a lawyer, but 
this axiom I have heard very often, that the law 
takes no account of ignorance regarding crimes and 
misdemeanors. Every person is supposed to know 
what may be done legally, and if, as in your case, 
any one offends, the punishment is the same as for 
those who know what they are doing.” 

“Will we be arrested, sir?” Ezra said in a 
tremulous tone. 

“ That is not improbable, if the passenger whom 
you brought was the man referred to in the news- 
paper article, and the fact that you landed him at 
night in what was seemingly a stealthy manner, 
would go far toward showing that you were aware 
the act committed was contrary to the law.” 

“ But what shall we do ? ” Dick asked pleadingly. 

“That is what I cannot say immediately; but we 
must take some steps toward safeguarding you, and 
as I now look at the matter, it seems that the first 
thing to be done is to give information regarding 
what has happened.” 

Mr. Marshall ceased speaking as if having given 
himself up to deep thought ; but, observing the look 
of distress upon the faces of the two boys, he said 
in a more cheery tone: 

“ It isn’t well to take the matter so much at heart 
until we learn how serious it really is. You had 
better go on board the smack, eat your breakfast, 
if you haven’t already had it, and then set about 
making your cargo ready for shipment. I’ll have 
a talk with my attorney, and possibly it may be 
necessary for us to go to Portland as soon as you 


loo THE CRUISE OF THE PHGEBE 


have finished your work. If that is not deemed 
advisable, the proper course would be to continue 
with your business, and set off for another load as 
soon as practicable. You can’t afford to wait until 
getting the returns from the lobsters you have just 
brought in, therefore I shall be obliged to advance 
you more capital, repaying myself when the Boston 
dealers send their check. Now go down to the 
smack, and see to it that neither you nor that new 
hand of yours speaks to any one whatsoever regard- 
ing your passenger with the asthma.” 

The partners were in an unenviable frame of 
mind when they boarded the Phoebe, and so plainly 
was this written on their faces that Tommy Down- 
ing asked anxiously: 

“ What’s gone wrong? Has the price of lobsters 
dropped way out of sight? ” 

“ I wish that was the only trouble,” Dick said 
with a groan as he went into the cuddy, and Tommy 
turned to Ezra, saying pleadingly: 

“Tell me what it is? Do your folks think you 
hadn’t any right to take me on ? ” 

“ Oh, Tommy, Tommy, it’s nothin’ so triflin’ as 
that,” Ezra cried bitterly. “ Do you know any- 
thin’ about smugglin’ Chinamen? ” 

“ Of course I do,” Master Downing replied 
promptly. “ There’s lots of It done, so Abel Saun- 
ders says, an’ the men what are In the business make 
a pile of money. But you jest let the United States 
government get hold of ’em once, an’ they’ll wish 
they’d never seen a heathen Chinee, ’cause It’s a case 
of goin’ to jail for a good long spell.” 


THE CRUISE OF THE PHCEBE 


lOI 


“ Then all three of us are likely to know what 
it is to go to jail, for weVe been smugglin’ a China- 
man, Tommy.” 

“ Smugglin’ — Oh come off ! What are you 
givin’ me? ” 

“ That’s what we’ve been doin’, or at least Dick’s 
father thinks so, for he read a piece out of a news- 
paper tellin’ about a Chinaman what had been found 
in the town of Sullivan without a certificate, or what- 
ever they call it, to show that he had a right to stay 
in this country, an’ while they was tryin’ to carry 
him somewhere, he ran away. The paper says he 
was seen in Vinalhaven afterwards, an’ the officers 
are lookin’ for him. Now Dick’s father believes 
our passenger, which Mr. Barnes said was dyin’ with 
the asthma, was notliin’ more nor less than that 
same Chinee, an’ I think he’s right, because the fel- 
low wouldn’t let us get a sight of his face, an’ didn’t 
seem to understand what we were talkin’ about. 
Then again, when he went ashore he didn’t walk 
like a sick man.” 

Tommy was absolutely unable to speak during 
several seconds, and then, shaking his clenched fist 
in the supposed direction where Mr. Barnes might 
be found, he cried vindictively: 

“ That’s jest like one of ’Liphalet Barnes’ tricks ! 
I allowed all along that he wasn’t helpin’ any sick 
man without there was a dollar in it for him. But 
say, he’s got the crowd of us into a pile of trouble, 
eh? I never hankered after workin’ for Abel 
Saunders; but I’ll tell you that would be a soft snap 
alongside of gettin’ inter jail because I helped bring 


102 THE CRUISE OF THE PHCEBE 


a bloomin’ Chinee up here. What are you going 
to do?” 

“ That’s what we don’t know, Tommy,” Ezra 
wailed. “ Mr. Marshall is goin’ to see a lawyer 
right away, an’ perhaps we’ll have to go to Port- 
land to give ourselves up as prisoners. An’ I was 
thinking that we were in a way to make a lot of 
money I Why, it’s terrible, terrible I ” 

. “ If you are goin’ to Portland, what about the 
lobsters in the well? ” 

“ Mr. Marshall says we must get right to work 
packin’ ’em up ready to ship by express to-night, 
for he’s had a chance to sell ’em at fifteen cents.” 

“Then why ain’t we humpin’ ourselves?” Mas- 
ter Downing asked sharply. “ I reckon you won’t 
make things any different by standin’ here lookin’ as 
if you’d lost your last friend. The Boston dealers 
count on gettin’ their lobsters mighty nigh fresh, 
an’ you can’t leave ’em in the smack’s well many 
days.” 

“That’s right. Tommy, an’ I know it; but how 
can we go to work when there’s a chance of bein’ 
sent to jail? ” 

“ I can’t see as that makes any difference. 
There’s no use of goin’ to jail, an’ losin’ your whole 
cargo too. Besides, you ain’t locked up yet, an’ if 
I was runnin’ this ’ere business I would be tacklin’ 
the job that’s got to be done first.” 

Again did Master Tommy Downing show him- 
self of great assistance to his employers, for he ab- 
solutely drove them to their work, and by the time 
they had gathered a dory-load of sea-weed in which 


THE CRUISE OF THE PHGEBE 103 

to pack the lobsters, both lads were feeling de- 
cidedly relieved in mind, for labor is a great assuager 
of sorrow. 

Dick and Ezra, if left to themselves, would have 
fasted on that morning; but Tommy insisted that 
“ things should go shipshape,” even if they were to 
be put in jail afterward, and late in the forenoon 
he had prepared a most appetizing meal, which 
served as both breakfast and dinner. 

The afternoon was nearly half spent before the 
lads again saw Mr. Marshall, and then the work 
of making the cargo ready for shipment had been 
finished, thanks to the assistance rendered by Mar- 
shall & Jordan’s employees. 

Dick’s father came on board as if nothing save the 
ordinary perplexities of business was on his mind, 
and Ezra asked hopefully: 

“ Have you fixed things, sir? ” 

“ No, lad, for that can’t be done in a hurry. The 
attorney advises that you boys give immediate in- 
formation to the customs officers in Portland, re- 
garding what has been done, and as soon as you 
have sent the last piece of freight ashore, we will 
run over there. I count on going with you, because 
it may be necessary that you give bail for appear- 
ance in court.” 

“ Then we are not goin’ on another cruise right 
away, sir?” Dick asked, and from the tone of his 
voice one could well have believed that the tears 
stood very near his eyelids. 

“ That is as may be, my son. I have brought with 
me the money which you will need for the purchase 


104 the cruise of THE PHCEBE 

of another cargo, and if the officers look at the 
matter as I hope they will, you can set off from 
there without troubling your heads about bringing 
me back.” 

“ But what about shippin’ the lobsters? ” Tommy 
asked, his first thought being of business rather than 
a possible imprisonment. 

“ I have already attended to that matter,” Mr. 
Marshall replied, “ so finish your work in a hurry, 
and let’s be off.” 

Half an hour later the Phoebe was headed for 
Portland, going at her best speed, and when she 
arrived at Franklin Wharf Mr. Marshall went 
ashore alone, saying as he stepped over the rail: 

“ I count on engaging the services of an attorney 
in order that you may have your full rights in the 
matter, and the twenty dollars of ‘ easy money ’ is 
like to cost you all the profits of your cruise, for 
Pm counting that the firm of Upton & Marshall 
shall pay the bills which I incur in their behalf. 
Remain here until I get back, and if any person ques- 
tions you regarding what may have been done, re- 
fuse absolutely to answer.” 

There is little need of saying that the crew of the 
Phoebe spent a most mournful three hours during 
Mr. Marshall’s absence. Each lad had come to be- 
lieve that the prison doors were already open to re- 
ceive him, and instead of setting off on another 
cruise he would be speedily confined in a horrible 
jail. 

Even Tommy seemed to lose courage as the mo- 


THE CRUISE OF THE PHCEBE 105 

merits passed, making no effort to enter into con- 
versation with his employers; but breaking out now 
and then in the most vehement invectives against 
Eliphalet Barnes, who had plunged them into so 
much trouble at the very time when the business 
prospects appeared to be brightest. 

“ There’s no use scoldin’ about that villain,” 
Dick said impatiently when Master Downing had 
expressed his opinion of the smuggler for at least 
the tenth time. ‘‘ Scoldin’ won’t help us any.” 

“ But it makes me feel a heap better to say what 
I think about the pirate I I ain’t so very big, nor 
don’t claim to be a terrible fighter; but if ever I get 
where that bloomin’ rummy of a smuggler is, he’ll 
find out that I can do somethin’.” 

“ An’ get yourself into even worse trouble than 
you are now. Tommy,” Ezra said reproachfully. 
“ We have no one to blame but ourselves, for when 
he offered us twenty dollars simply to bring a sick 
man from Vinalhaven to Portland, we should have 
had sense enough to know there was somethin’ 
wrong about the transaction. Five dollars would 
have been a big price, but the moment he got above 
that, we ought’er told him to sneak off mighty 
quick.” 

“ He said he would get even with us for settin’ 
him adrift, an’ he’s done it,” Dick wailed, while 
Tommy cried angrily: 

“ He thinks he’s terrible smart, does ’Liphalet 
Barnes; but some day he’s goin’ to come to grief, an’ 
I’ll be the one what’ll help him get there. It’s a 


io6 THE CRUISE OF THE PHCEBE 


mighty bad scrape we’re in; but it would be a good 
deal worse if there didn’t seem to be any show of 
squarin’ things with that pirate.” 

As the time wore on, and Mr. Marshall did not 
make his appearance, the boys relapsed into moody 
silence, heeding not when night came; but sitting in 
the cuddy silent and motionless, believing that al- 
ready were their business prospects ruined, and they 
the same as prisoners. 

It was nearly nine o’clock in the evening when 
the Phoebe reeled beneath a sudden blow, and then 
as footsteps could be heard on the deck, Dick started 
up with a cry. of greatest relief: 

“ It’s father I An’ now we’ll know the worst of 
it I I don’t believe I could have staid here an hour 
longer thinkin’ of what’s cornin’ to us.” 

“ You are not looking very jolly in here,” Mr. 
Marshall said in a cheery tone as he peered down 
the companion-way. “ No matter how much 
trouble you’re in, lads, mourning doesn’t help you 
out. Light your lamp, and let’s see each other.” 

“What have you done, father? Have we got to 
go to jail?” Dick asked, while Tommy proceeded 
to obey the order given. 

“ We’ll hope not, my son. In fact. I’m inclined 
to think matters won’t be carried quite so far as that. 
I have bound myself, however, that you shall appear 
as witnesses whenever needed, and until notification 
comes that evidence is required, you may go on 
about your business.” 

“ Then there is to be a regular trial, an’ all that 
kind of thing I ” Dick wailed. 


THE CRUISE OF THE PHCEBE 107 

“ That is as may be. It is first necessary that the 
officers find the man you put ashore last night, and 
even then there’s a question in the minds of all with 
whom I have talked, as to whether your evidence 
would be of any avail, since you could not identify 
the passenger, not having seen any portion of his 
body. It is believed, however, that by your being 
able to swear as to what that fellow Barnes said and 
did, the offense against the law can be fastened upon 
some member of the gang, for there Is really a regu- 
lar scheme for smuggling Chinamen.” 

“ And are we allowed now, sir, to keep on buyin’ 
lobsters?” Ezra asked in a tone of relief. 

“ Yes, lad, there is nothing to prevent, save that 
you may be summoned at any time. Of course you 
will not think of leaving port until morning. In- 
asmuch as you had no sleep last night. Therefore 
I am advising that you go to bed at once, and, un- 
less you are needing additional stores, set off at day- 
break.” 

“ It is possible we may need a barrel of gasoline, 
sir,” Ezra suggested. 

“ Then you will be forced to delay your de- 
parture, for It would not be advisable to go off with 
a partial supply of fuel. Here are two hundred 
and fifty dollars more, and after what has already 
happened I fancy there is no need for me to caution 
you against having anything to do with strangers, par- 
ticularly with that Mr. Barnes who has already 
served you such a trick. But for what has occurred 
I should not give you any business advice, believing 
It best for you to paddle your own canoe at the out- 


io8 THE CRUISE OF THE PHCEBE 


set, that it might be shown whether you are capable 
of carrying on the enterprise. Now, however, I am 
proposing that instead of making any stop this side 
of Isle au Haut, you run a considerable distance 
down the coast before attempting to make purchases, 
and this I suggest because there is a possibility that 
you might find, in the vicinity of Vinalhaven, officers 
who, not knowing of what has been done here, would 
cause your arrest. In case there should be such 
trouble, you will, as a matter of course, wire me 
without delay.” 

Then, without further words, Mr. Marshall went 
on shore, as if there was nothing more to be done 
in behalf of the new firm, and when he had gone 
Tommy Downing said with the air of one who has 
just been relieved from a heavy burden: 

“ Well, that’s what I call skinnin’ out of it pretty 
easy. Half an hour ago I believed we would be 
in jail before mornin’.” 

“ But we’re not free from it now,” Dick said 
moodily, “ an’ had best wait to do our crowin’ until 
the thing has been settled.” 

“ Now see here,” Tommy began, .much as if he 
was the employer talking to the employee. 
“ There’s no kind of sense in huntin’ ’round for 
trouble. We’re out of the scrape for a while any 
how, an’ that ought’er make all hands feel pretty 
chipper — it does me. As I look at it, this ’ere 
lobster business ain’t the easiest thing in the world 
to run, an’ if you’re goin’ to spend your time cryin’ 
over what can’t be helped, an’ thinkin’ every minute 
you’re goin’ to jail, why the next cruise will be a 


THE CRUISE OF THE PHCEBE 109 

losin’ one sure as you live. Now here Is what IVe 
got in my mind, an’ you can take up with it or not, 
jest as you please. One of you go on shore, an’ 
buy the nicest piece of beefsteak you can find. I’ll 
fry some potatoes In a way that’ll make your mouth 
water, an’ we’ll have a high old dinner. After that 
It’ll be a case of goin’ to bed, an’ lettin’ the Chinese 
smugglin’ take care of Itself.” 

“ I don’t care what you do,” Dick replied dis- 
consolately, and Ezra added with a laugh: 

“ I believe you’re right. Tommy. You have 
given us good advice ever since you came on board, 
an’ we’d be foolish not to follow this. If there are 
any shops open I’ll get what you want for a feast, 
an’ we’ll try to enjoy ourselves, even if It does 
seem as though lobster tradin’ was about done up.” 

“ That’s the way to talk,” Master Downing said 
cheerily. “ You hump yourself, an’ I’ll begin to 
fry the potatoes. Say, what’s the matter with Dick’s 
turnin’ to an’ lendin’ a hand? It will be a good 
deal better’n settin’ there thinkin’ of the trick 
Ellphalet Barnes played on us.” 

This was not a respectful tone for Tommy to 
use when speaking of his employer; but because of 
what he had already done. It seemed as If he had 
a right to direct affairs, and almost without Intend- 
ing to do so, Dick began to busy himself with the 
culinary operations. 

Ezra was successful In his quest, as could be seen 
when he brought back materials for such a feast 
as perhaps had never been served In the cabin of the 
Phoebe, and before It was prepared to Master Down- 


no THE CRUISE OF THE PHOEBE 


ing’s liking, the crew of the smack were in remark- 
ably good spirits considering the gravity of the 
situation. 

Then, when each fellow had eaten to repletion, 
and the cuddy was set to rights once more, came the 
question of purchasing gasoline, whereupon Tommy 
ventured more of his valuable advice. 

“ I am allowin’ it’ll be six or seven o’clock before 
the shops here are open, eh?” 

“Yes; we can’t hope to get a barrel of gasoline 
on board much before eight or nine o’clock,” Ezra 
replied. 

“Well, what’s the use of wastin’ all that time? 
Now if I was runnin’ this ’ere smack, here’s what 
I’d do: You’ve got gasoline enough for two or 
three days, accordin’ to what you said yesterday. 
So what’s to hinder startin’ off at daybreak, with a 
clean savin’ of four or five hours, an’ puttin’ into 
Boothbay for what you’re needin’? There’s a raft 
of power boats owned there, an’ you can bet great 
big good dollars that they’ll have gasoline there to 
sell till you can’t rest I ” 

“ But we’ll be runnin’ out of our course by going 
in there,” Ezra objected, and Tommy said promptly: 

“ Not more’n an hour. ’Cordin’ to your own 
talk we’d have to stay here till nine o’clock, so it’ll 
be a clean savin’ of time, an’ that’s what we need 
to do in the lobster business if I’ve got any idee 
of it.” 

“ It strikes me, Tommy, you’ve got a better idea 
of it than either Dick or I,” Ezra replied laughingly, 
“ an’ I’m willin’ to follow your advice.” 


THE CRUISE OF THE PHCEBE iii 


Master Downing looked toward Dick, and see- 
ing that he was not disposed to make any objection, 
said cheerily: 

‘‘ Then it’s a case of all hands turnin’ in now, 
for I’m countin’ on routin’ you fellows out mighty 
early in the morning. We’ll run down the coast 
as far as Quoddy Head, an’ I’m hopin’ before we 
get there to have a whack at Eliphalet Barnes.” 


CHAPTER VI 


DISABLED 

When Master Downing aroused his employers 
next morning, Dick stoutly refused to turn out, de- 
claring that it was yet night, and, in fact, there 
were no signs of the coming day so far as the oc- 
cupants of the cuddy could see. 

“ Of course it’s dark down here,” Tommy ex- 
plained as he set about building a fire in the cook 
stove; “but just poke your nose up the companion- 
way for a minute, an’ you’ll see that it’s mighty near 
daybreak. I’m allowin’ this ’ere craft ought’er be 
got under way as soon as light, ’cause it’s a case 
of humpin ourselves if we count on earnin’ enough 
to pay for the lawyers your father’s been hirin’ to 
straighten up that trick Eliphalet Barnes played on 
us.” 

“ We may as well get out, even though it is in 
the night, as to stay here an’ be roasted,” Ezra said 
laughingly, as he leaped to his feet, and when the 
partners had made a leisurely toilet it could be seen 
that the new hand had not aroused them any too 
early. 

Already were tokens of the new day to be seen 
in the eastern sky, and before breakfast could be 
gotten well under way it would be time to leave the 
dock. 


112 ' 


THE CRUISE OF THE PHCEBE 


113 


“ You fellers needn’t pay any attention to me,” 
Master Downing said in reply to Ezra’s question as 
to when the morning meal would be ready. “ I’ll 
keep right to work at it, an’ when the things are 
cooked you can eat ’em while I take my trick at 
the wheel. I reckon you’ll leave as soon as it’s 
anywhere near light?” 

“We’ll get off in less than thirty minutes,” Ezra 
said as he went on deck, and no more than half 
that time had elapsed when Dick came below to 
start the motor. 

“ Coin’ to take your chances of runnin’ down 
the harbor so early?” the cook asked, much as if 
it pleased him because his employers were hastening 
the time of sailing. 

“ It’s light enough for us to make out the vessels 
at anchor, an’ seein’s how we’ve got quite a cruise 
ahead of us, the Phoebe can’t be started any too 
soon,” Dick replied as he set the machinery in 
motion. 

“ That’s where you’re right. It ain’t as if things 
were goin’ real smooth an’ you could take your time ; 
but it’s a case of payin’ for lawyers out of the profits 
of the business, an’ I’m thinkin’ they’ll want a good 
deal of money. Abel Saunders says that you can’t 
ever satisfy ’em, an’ I wouldn’t wonder if he was 
right.” 

“ I’ve given over worryin’ about that trick 
Eliphalet Barnes played on us,” Dick said curtly. 
“ It’s been done, an’ we showed ourselves the big- 
gest fools in this section of the country, so, accordin’ 
to my way of thinkin’, the least said about it the 


1 14 THE CRUISE OF THE PHCEBE 


better. We can promise ourselves that he won’t 
get another whack at us, for one such dose is as 
good as twenty, so far as helpin’ a fellow to cut his 
eye teeth is concerned.” 

“ ’Liphalet’s pretty keen, he is,” Tommy replied 
as he sliced the pork carefully lest it be cut too 
thick. “ About the only way you can make sure 
of not gettin’ inter trouble, is to keep jest as far 
from him as possible. Why, if that man asked me 
to take a drink of water when I was thirsty. I’d 
think he was puttin’ up some kind of a game, an’ 
look mighty sharp at whatever he dished out.” 

It was evident that Dick had no desire to continue 
the conversation which had as its subject Mr. 
Barnes, for after assuring himself that the motor 
was running smoothly, he went on deck, remaining 
there until the cook announced that breakfast was 
ready. 

“ Now this is somethin’ like,” Dick said as he 
and Ezra seated themselves at the table while Tommy 
stood at the wheel. “ When we started on the first 
cruise each fellow had to eat alone. Now we can 
take it comfortable. I wish we’d had sense enough 
to put a barrel of gasoline aboard at Westbay, an’ 
then we wouldn’t be called on to stop at Boothbay. 
To tell the truth, Ezra, I’m beginnin’ to be afraid 
to haul up anywhere around the coast between here 
an’ Isle au Haut, for fear of meetin’ with that 
man Barnes.” 

“ I’m allowin’ he won’t get the best of us again, 
for it seems as though we’ve got our eye teeth cut 
by this time,” Ezra replied carelessly, arid then 


THE CRUISE OF THE PHCEBE 115 

changed the subject of the conversation by speculat- 
ing upon the possibility that before they returned 
lobsters would have advanced yet more in price. 

When Master Downing was summoned to get his 
breakfast the Phoebe was well down the harbor, 
making exceedingly good time over a smooth sea, 
and but for the fact of their having allowed them- 
selves to be so easily hoodwinked in the case of the 
supposed invalid, the young lobster traders would 
have been in high spirits. 

As it was, however, the thought of what they 
would be forced to pay for legal services already 
rendered, and the possibility that before the matter 
was ended the doors of the county prison would 
open for their reception, prevented anything like self- 
congratulation. 

There was no question about their needing gas- 
oline if the cruise was to be extended as far as 
Quoddy Head, and when, in due time, the Phoebe 
arrived at Boothbay, she was run alongside one of 
the piers, Dick and Ezra going ashore to make the 
purchase, while Tommy was left to “ keep ship.” 

It seemed fortunate to the lads that very nearly 
at the head of the dock where the smack had been 
made fast, was a shop at which, according to the 
signboards, the needed supplies could be procured, 
and on entering the lads found the proprietor alone, 
business being apparently very dull with him at 
that time of the day. 

“A barrel of gasoline, eh?” he repeated when 
Ezra made known their errand. “ I reckon you 
must be runnin’ a power boat?” 


ii6 THE CRUISE OF THE PHOEBE 


“ That’s what we are, an’ we’re in a hurry to 
get down the coast.” 

“ Well, I’ve got something here that’s as good 
as can be found in the market. All the power boats 
round here use it. I don’t reckon you know any- 
thin’ about the lobster smack that helped Eliphalet 
Barnes smuggle the Chinaman through to Portland, 
do you ? ” 

“What smack was that, sir?” Ezra asked in 
quavering tones, striving to screen his face, which 
he felt was growing white. 

“ Bless you, I don’t know what smack it was; but 
they do say that the Chinaman what got away from 
the officers was hanging round Vinalhaven when 
Eliphalet Barnes come down from Portland, where 
he’d been locked up in jail. Now anythin’ in the 
way of smugglin’ is just sport for Eliphalet, an’ 
he agreed with some of ’em as were concerned in 
the business, I reckon, to put the Chinaman through 
slick an’ smooth for fifty dollars. Some of us folks 
here have got the idee that Eliphalet brought the 
smack with him from Portland so’s to have it ready; 
but of course nobody really knows.” 

“ We’re in a hurry to get that gasoline aboard, 
sir,” Dick interrupted, for the shop-keeper’s budget 
of news was not overly pleasant to hear. 

“ All right, all right, my boy. You shall have 
it just as soon as I can yank it out of the cellar. I 
reckon you’re willin’ to lend a hand, eh ? ” 

“ We’ll do most anything so that we don’t stay 
here too long.” 


THE CRUISE OF THE PHOEBE 117 

“ All right, come this way,” and the proprietor 
led the boys out on the sidewalk to the cellar door, 
asking as he did so : 

“When did you leave Portland, eh?” 

“ This mornin’.” 

“ I don’t reckon you heard anythin’ about that 
’ere Chinaman before you left, eh ? ” 

“ We read in the paper that one got away from 
the officers down at Sullivan.” 

“ Didn’t see anythin’ about Eliphalet’s havin’ a 
hand in it, eh? ” 

“ The newspaper article which we saw simply 
spoke of the man’s havin’ escaped from the officers,” 
Ezra replied curtly. “ Now if you will bear a hand 
we’ll get that barrel of gasoline up, an’ pay for it. 
We can’t afford to spend much time here.” 

“ Coin’ very far east? ” 

“We may go to Eastport.” 

“ Pleasurin’, I reckon.” 

It was evident that the shop-keeper intended to 
gain all the information concerning his customers 
that was possible, and, as if in desperation lest they 
be forced to prolong the visit beyond the time set, 
Ezra replied: 

“ We are buyin’ lobsters. That’s our smack 
there at the pier. She’s the Phoebe, an’ run by Up- 
ton & Marshall.” 

“ Lobster buyers, eh? Been in the business 
long?” 

“ See here, we’re in a hurry. If we can get that 
gasoline out, we’re ready to pay for it, an’ if not, 


ii8 THE CRUISE OF THE PHOEBE 


we’ll have to find some one who is willin’ to sell it 
without wantin’ to know so much,” Dick interrupted 
petulantly. 

“ Well, I allow if that’s the case you’ll go fur- 
ther and perhaps fare worse, for this ’ere is the 
only store in Boothbay where they keep gasoline,” 
the proprietor replied as if nettled. “If you boys 
are so afraid about answerin’ harmless questions, why 
I’ll try not to ask ’em.” 

Ezra understood, as did his partner, that by at- 
tempting to hurry the shop-keeper they might render 
themselves objects of suspicion, since it was known 
in the vicinity that the Chinaman had been taken 
from Vinalhaven in a lobster smack, and he hastened 
to placate the owner of the gasoline, speaking in the 
most friendly tone that could be assumed on the 
moment : 

“ We are not afraid of answerin’ questions, an’ 
are willin’ to tell you all about ourselves, if that’s 
what you want; but we’re in a hurry, an’ it will be 
just as well to talk while we’re takin’ the gasoline 
to the dock, as to stand here on the sidewalk idle. 
If you will show us where it is, we’ll roust it outside, 
an’ then you shall come down to the smack, an’ see 
for yourself what we’re about.” 

“I ain’t wantin’ to pry into other folks’ affairs; 
but it only seems kind of neighborly like, especially 
when there’s nothin’ much doin’, to inquire into the 
business. Besides, there’s no kno\vin’ but I might 
help you buy a part of the cargo, if you are givin’ 
price enough.” 

“ Because we’re goin’ so far east, it wouldn’t pay 


THE CRUISE OF THE PHCEBE 119 

us to take in very many now. When we come back, 
if there are any lobsters ’round here for sale, we’ll 
be glad to buy ’em, an’ are willin’ to stop here 
every ten days or two weeks, if a business can be 
built up.” 

“ Well, now, I wouldn’t want to give you any 
encouragement, lads, for you see our people ship 
direct from here, an’ there are two or three of us 
who stand ready to buy any lobsters we come across.” 

“ Which barrel shall we take from the cellar, 
sir?” Dick interrupted, seeing that the shop-keeper 
was likely to go into a detailed history of the lob- 
ster business in the town of Boothbay. 

“ I reckon the first one you come to will do. 
There’s the tackle; if you’ll pass the ends up to me 
I’ll make ’em fast, an’ you can swing the bight 
around the cask yourselves.” 

The result of the matter was that in order to 
make a saving of time, and avoid being too closely 
questioned concerning the Chinaman who had given 
the oflicers the slip, Dick and Ezra were forced to 
do the greater portion of the work necessary to take 
the gasoline from the cellar. 

Then five minutes more were the same as wasted 
in replying to a flood of questions before the price 
could be decided upon, and paid, after which the 
lads set off toward the dock, rolling the cask before 
them regardless of the shop-keeper’s efforts to con- 
tinue the conversation. 

“ Keep your eye out for the lobster smack what 
run off the Chinaman! ” the man shouted after them. 
“ It may be you’ll get to hear more about the busi- 


120 THE CRUISE OF THE PHCEBE 


ness, an’ I’d advise you to have your ears open, for, 
unless I’m mistaken, there’ll be a reward offered by 
the government for news concernin’ that ’ere craft.” 

“ We won’t forget,” Dick cried irritably, and 
Ezra said in a grim whisper: 

“ I reckon we’re not likely to ; but you mustn’t 
show temper when these people ask too many ques- 
tions, for if a man like that one gets suspicious, 
there’s no knowin’ what he’d do.” 

“ What could he do, even if he knew that the 
Chinaman was taken away in the Phoebe?” Dick 
asked irritably. 

“I don’t know; if I did perhaps I’d think it 
wouldn’t make any difference whether we were dis- 
covered or not; but just now it seems as if our wisest 
course was to avoid takin’ any chances.” 

“ It looks a good deal as if you fellers thought 
you had a little more time than there is in the day,” 
Master Downing grumbled when Dick and Ezra 
arrived at the smack. “I thought this was to be 
a quick stop.” 

“ We haven’t been wastin’ any time willingly,” 
Dick said in the tone of one who has been grievously 
injured. “ That shop-keeper wanted to know every- 
thing we could tell him about ourselves, an’ a little 
more, an’ in addition, he knew considerable already.” 

“ Meanin’ what?” Tommy asked, understanding 
from the tone and air of his 'employer that some- 
thing of a disagreeable nature had occurred. 

“ Meanin’ that these people here know the China- 
man was carried away from Vinalhaven in a lob- 
ster smack, an’, thinkin’ the government will offer 


THE CRUISE OF THE PHCEBE 


I2I 


a reward for information, are tryin’ to find out 
which craft it was.’’ 

“ An’ so you’ve been bangin’ ’round givin’ them 
a chance to pump you, eh? Why, we’d better have 
boomed ahead without the gasoline than staid a sin- 
gle minute, because we could have bought it in East- 
port,” and now Master Downing appeared to be 
thoroughly alarmed. 

He bestirred himself so actively, exerting his 
strength to such purpose, that within a very short 
space of time after the gasoline was alongside, it 
had been put on board the Phoebe, and the little 
smack was just backing away from the dock when 
the shop-keeper appeared, waving his hand ex- 
citedly. 

“ Don’t wait for him,” Tommy advised. 
“ You’ve paid for what we’ve got, so let’s get out 
of here ! How do you know but that they would 
take the chances of arrestin’ us on their own account, 
an’ then we would be in a muss ! ” 

Dick was at the motor, with Ezra at the wheel, 
when Master Downing spoke, and because no sig- 
nal was sent from the pilot-house to the cuddy, the 
backward motion of the smack was not slackened, 
much to the evident displeasure of the shop-keeper, 
who shouted at the full strength of his lungs: 

“ Look here, you boys ! I want to ask a question 
before you leave this port?” 

“ We’ve told you everything we know already, 
an’ can’t afford to wait around here any longer,” 
Ezra replied, and as the Phoebe, having backed out 
from the pier sufficiently far, was swung around with 


122 THE CRUISE OF THE PHOEBE 


the bell in the cuddy ringing for full speed ahead, 
the shop-keeper cried angrily: 

“ I tell you to come back here ! I’m beginning to 
have an idee you know more about that Chinaman 
business than you’re willin’ to allow. Don’t make 
the mistake of running agin the government, or you’ll 
get into a pretty serious kind of a muddle.” 

“ We’ll see you when we come up this way agin, 
old man,” Tommy cried with a friendly wave of 
the hand, “ an’ perhaps then we’ll know more about 
what you’re so keen after. So long! ” 

The gentleman on shore made some harsh reply, 
as could be told by the tone of his voice; but the 
Phoebe was so far away that it was impossible to 
distinguish the words, and Master Downing said 
with a chuckle of satisfaction, while at the same 
time an expression of dismay spread over his face: 

“ Well, we got rid of him, an’ that’s a mighty 
good thing; but I’ll tell you what it is, Ezra, from 
this out the folks at Boothbay will swear the Phoebe 
was the one what carried off the Chinaman, an’ we 
can’t afford to buy any more gasoFine around these 
diggings.” 

“ Perhaps it would have been better if we had 
held up an’ answered all his questions, for then he 
wouldn’t have been so suspicious,” Ezra said half 
to himself, and Tommy cried sharply: 

“ One way would have been just as bad as the 
other, an’ I don’t know but what it might have been 
a little worse if you’d stopped for the meddlin’ old 
idjut, ’cause there’s no knowin’ but he’d have taken 
it into his head to make us tie up till he got the 


THE CRUISE OF THE PHCEBE 


123 


whole thing down fine. Anyhow, we’re through 
with Boothbay for this cruise, I reckon, an’ now 
what are you countin’ on doin’ — runnin’ all night? 
It’s a case of that, or puttin’ in for harbor some- 
where near about Swans island.” 

“ We don’t want to stop anywhere near there,” 
Ezra cried in alarm, and Tommy settled the matter 
by saying decidedly: 

“ Well, we’ll keep straight along, an’ I don’t 
know of any reason why it can’t be done. Any- 
how, it’ll be safer until the folks get over being so 
keen after the smack what lugged off the China- 
man.” 

When Dick came on deck it was definitely de- 
cided that the Phoebe should be kept on her course 
until having arrived at that point on the coast where 
Tommy believed they could safely venture to begin 
the purchase of another cargo, and in order that this 
might be done the lads set hourly watches; two of 
the crew on duty and one below throughout the day. 

The knowledge that the people of Boothbay were 
on the lookout for the smack which had aided in the 
escape of the Chinaman, caused the boys to continue 
their task in a more business-like, serious fashion 
than would have been the case had nothing occurred 
to cause alarm. Each spent his off-duty time in the 
bunk, sleeping or trying to do so, in order to be 
in good condition for work when he went on watch, 
and at her best speed the Phoebe was sent on down the 
coast much as if running away from enemies, instead 
of being engaged in lawful transactions. 

Another day had come and was nearly half spent 


124 the cruise of the phcebe 

by the time the smack arrived near to Quoddy Head 
light, and all hands were congratulating themselves 
that the long cruise was nearly at an end when the 
motor suddenly ceased working. 

It was Dick’s off-duty trick, and Ezra, after at- 
tending to the motor, had gone into the pilot-house 
for a chat with Tommy. Failing to understand the 
cause of the sudden stoppage, he cried through the 
speaking-tube : 

“What have you hauled up here for, Dick?” 

There was no reply. Running hurriedly into the 
cabin Ezra found his partner in the bunk asleep, 
and the engine motionless. 

An instant later Tommy heard his employer cry 
in a tone of dismay: 

“Turn out, Dick I We’re in trouble for a fact! 
This blessed sparker has broken short off, an’ we 
were such simples as never to have thought of tak- 
ing a spare one. If there are two boys on the 
coast of Maine who have shown themselves to be 
such fools as you and I, it would please me to run 
across them.” 

In a twinkling Master Downing was in the cuddy 
gazing at Ezra, who stood staring at the motor as 
if he had never seen the like of such a thing before, 
while Dick, who was half out of the bunk, looked 
around in bewilderment. 

“What’s the matter? What made us stop?” 
Tommy asked sharply, and Dick replied curtly: 

“ The sparker has broken. See I ” and he held 
up a fragment of brass tipped with platinum. 

“How did that happen?” 


THE CRUISE OF THE PHCEBE 


125 


“ Now look here, Tommy, don’t ask foolish ques- 
tions,” Ezra said irritably. “ Of course no one 
knows how it happened, except that it’s done, an’ 
here we are in a mighty disagreeable fix.” 

“ Can’t you move her at all? ” 

“ Of course you can’t move her ! Don’t I tell 
you she’s broken down. There’s nothing to be done 
but send to Portland for a new sparker, an’ nobody 
knows how long that will take.” 

“ Well, we can’t hang ’round off here,” and 
Tommy spoke as if believing his employers might, 
if they were so disposed, remedy the fault. 

“How far around that light is the harbor?” 
Ezra asked suddenly. 

“ Well, you’ll get good anchorage anywhere in- 
side the Head; but if you counted to strike East- 
port it would be quite a long stretch.” 

“What we want is a telegraph office. It’s a case 
of sendin’ word to Dick’s father for a new sparker, 
an’ layin’ here, or at some decent anchorage, until 
we get it.” 

“ But see here,” and now Master Downing gave 
evidence of great distress of mind. “ If the people 
at Boothbay were so keen about this Chinaman that 
Eliphalet Barnes shoved off onto us, it stands to 
reason the people at Eastport will have the same 
bug down their backs, an’ we can’t afford to stay 
in any one place a great while.” 

“ Can’t afford it? ” Ezra cried angrily. “ It ain’t 
a question of can’t or can; but one of must. Until 
we get a new sparker you can’t turn the screw, that’s 
positive.” 


126 THE CRUISE OF THE PHCEBE 


Tommy was silenced, but by no means convinced 
that it would be impossible for them to put the mo- 
tor into such shape that it might be used, even with- 
out replacing the part which had been broken. 
However, he understood that it would be useless to 
argue the question while Ezra’s temper was so near 
the surface, and contented himself by saying: 

“ Whether you can work the machinery or not, 
I’m telling you that you’ve got to get the smack 
into some kind of a harbor.” 

By this time Dick had collected his scattered 
senses, and ran on deck for a look around, return- 
ing an instant later to say in a matter-of-fact tone: 

“ You’re right, Ezra, about not being able to turn 
the screw, an’ I’m allowin’ Tommy is just as near 
correct when he says we’ve got to get the Phoebe 
out of this place. Now there’s only one way to do 
it, an’ that’s by towin’, so the sooner we put the 
dory into the water the better.” 

“ How far is it from here around the point? ” 

“ It looks to be six or seven miles.” 

“ An’ do you think we can tow this heavy smack 
that far?” Ezra asked as if to his mind it was an 
impossibility. 

“ I am not thinkin’ anythin’ about that part of 
it. You know as well as I that we’ve got to do it, 
so let’s set about the job.” 

It was as if the mischief had bewildered Ezra for 
the moment, and he stood gazing first at the broken 
sparker, and then at his partner, until having pulled 
himself together, so to speak. 

“ Of course you’re right, Dick, an’ I’m showin’ 


THE CRUISE OF THE PHOEBE 


127 


myself an idiot by makin’ foolish talk. It’ll be a 
mighty hard pull, though, to tow this smack six or 
seven miles.” 

Although not accustomed to handle power boats. 
Master Downing understood full well what was be- 
fore them, and in his usual practical fashion he de- 
cided upon what should be done without going 
through the formality of consulting his employers. 

“We can shift every half hour, an’ that will put 
each feller at the oars an hour at a time,” he said 
promptly. “ Of course whoever isn’t pullin’ must 
be steerin’ the smack, else she’d wabble around in 
such a fashion that nobody could tow her. I’m 
allowin’ it’ll take some time to get into shape for 
the work, so let’s hustle.” 

It was by no means a simple task to get ready 
for towing; no little time was spent in fastening a 
brace on the inside of the dory, well aft, to which 
the hawser could be made fast, and then it became 
necessary to make a bridle of the rope that the 
smack might not swing too much. 

All this required time, and the afternon was nearly 
spent when Tommy and Ezra settled down to the 
tedious task, while Dick stood at the wheel of the 
disabled steamer. 

“ We mustn’t count on bringin’ her ahead very 
fast,” Master Downing said as if believing his em- 
ployers needed cheering. “ The most we can hope 
to do is keep her movin’, an’ it won’t be any very 
short job.” 

“ It’ll take us all night an’ part of to-morrow at 
this rate,” Dick said grimly as he gazed over the 


128 THE CRUISE OF THE PHCEBE 


bow where the water swept away from the Phoebe’s 
stem in lazy wrinkles. “ She isn’t goin’ a mile an 
hour.” 

“ If we could bring her ahead as fast as a mile, 
we’d be playin’ in big luck,” Tommy cried cheerily. 
“ Say about half that speed, an’ you’ll hit it nearer 
right, for she ain’t any playthin’.” 

“ There’s no sense in tryin’ to figure out the 
speed,” Ezra interrupted irritably, “ for it will make 
the job seem longer. The only way is to buckle 
down to it without lookin’ ahead. But suppose the 
wind springs up from the east? ” 

“ Then it’ll be a case of goin’ ashore in the dory, 
an’ the Phoebe wabblin’ off on her own account, 
’cause we couldn’t even begin to hold her against 
a head wind,” and Tommy spoke as if such a dis- 
aster might be expected at any moment. 

“ I reckon we’ve got enough to worry over with- 
out lookin’ ahead for a gale of wind,” Dick cried 
with a not overly cheerful* laugh. “The worst 
thing, accordin’ to my way of thinkin’, is that we’ll 
have to stay in harbor three or four days waitin’ 
for a new sparker, an’ in that time the people of 
Eastport will come to believe we’re hidin’ because 
of bein’ the craft that helped Eliphalet Barnes sneak 
off his Chinaman. That would put us in a worse 
scrape than we came near failin’ into at Boothbay.” 

“ It seems to me we can do better than spend the 
time figurin’ how much trouble may befall us,” and 
now Ezra was on the verge of ill-temper, for failure 
in this business venture meant much more to him 
than to either of his companions. 


THE CRUISE OF THE PHGEBE 129 

He had abandoned the calling of a lobster catcher 
to become a buyer, selling his traps, and thus, as one 
might say, burning his bridges behind him. To fail 
now because of having allowed Mr. Barnes to use 
them as catspaws, would be to face absolute want 
before another winter had come, since, if all his 
small capital was spent, and he in debt to Mr. Mar- 
shall for his share of the money advanced with which 
to purchase lobsters, it would be virtually impossible 
for him to get an outfit for fishing. 

“ I can’t see why we shouldn’t look the situation 
in the face, an’ then we’ll be prepared for whatever 
turns up,” Dick replied soberly. 

‘‘ I don’t dare think of what may happen, an’ 
you’ll understand as much if you reckon up how I’ll 
be fixed if we don’t make a payin’ venture of this 
tradin’ In lobsters,” Ezra said gravely, and straight- 
way his partner became as sympathetic as he could 
have desired. 

“ Now don’t get into your head any idea that 
because of what has happened we’re goin’ into bank- 
ruptcy,” Dick cried earnestly. “ I reckon it’ll cost 
us considerable money before we’ve come to an end 
of that Chinese business; but we must scratch all 
the harder to make It up, an’ we can do It, Ezra I ” 

“ Of course you can,” Master Downing added 
emphatically. “ I only wish I was one of these ’ere 
partners, you wouldn’t find me gettin’ down at the 
mouth jest ’cause folks along the coast have got 
It Inter their heads that the Chinaman went away 
In our smack. It ain’t a hangin’ matter anyhow, 
an’ In two or three trips you can make up all you’ve 


i 30 THE CRUISE OF THE PHCEBE 

lost through Eliphalet Barnes. People ’round here 
don’t think it’s so terrible wrong to do a little 
smugglin’, an’ as near as I can make out that’s all 
we was doin’ when we took on board the fellow what 
claimed to have the asthma.” 

Then Tommy began to tell of the fishermen in 
the vicinity with whom he was on at least partial 
terms of acquaintance, who would be glad to sell 
their lobsters to traders who visited them regularly, 
and so represented the situation that it seemed almost 
impossible the venture could be a failure, no matter 
how much money they might be forced to pay out 
in order to settle with the attorneys who had charge 
of the case. 

Thus it was that two hours passed, and at the 
end of that time Ezra was absolutely astonished to 
find how rapidly they had crept up on Quoddy Head 
light. 

“We’re doin’ a good mile an hour!” he cried 
gleefully, having apparently forgotten his dismal 
forebodings. “If we keep it up at this rate we 
should be in decent anchorage by midnight 1 ” 

“ That’s what,” Master Downing replied em- 
phatically. “ It’s stickin’ at a job that counts, an’ 
all you’ve got to do is keep pluggin’ all the time. 
I don’t reckon you’ll try to do more than get inter 
a harbor to-night?” 

“ We’ll be satisfied with that. It’ll be easier to 
pull up to the town in a dory, than try to tow the 
Phoebe so far, an’ by keepin’ her down near the light 
there won’t be a chance for so many people to see 
her.” 


THE CRUISE OF THE PHCEBE 13 1 

Having thus decided the matter without reference 
to his partner, Ezra pulled the harder at the oars, 
until the lazy wrinkle around the smack’s bow in- 
creased to a veritable ripple, and Tommy piped up: 

“ I’se bound to run all day, 

I’se bound to run all night; 

I’ve bet my money on a bob-tailed nag. 
Somebody’s bettin’ on the bay.” 

By changing places every hour the boys were able 
to keep the Phoebe moving through the water with- 
out stopping, and although all three were very nearly 
exhausted, they were not in as bad a condition when 
the smack had finally been towed around Quoddy 
Head, as had seemed probable when the task was 
begun. 

It was considerably past midnight when they came 
to anchor in a small, sheltered cove, and Tommy 
said as he clambered inboard from the dory: 

“ Now I allow that the best thing we can do is 
to have supper. You fellows make things snug for 
the night, an’ I’ll tend to the cookin’.” 

“ All I want is to crawl into my bunk. I don’t 
believe I ever was so tired before,” Dick replied as 
he came over the rail stiffly. 

“ Wait till you smell what I’m goin’ to mix up, 
an’ see how quick you’ll come out of the bunk,” 
Tommy cried as he ran into the cuddy, and, follow- 
ing him, Dick asked: 

“ How is it that you can do so much work an’ 
not get played out, Tommy? It don’t seem as if 
you ever felt tired.” 


132 THE CRUISE OF THE PHCEBE 

“ IVe wintered an’ summered with Abel Saunders, 
an’ if you’d done the same it would be easier to 
tackle hard jobs. Why, this day’s work ain’t a 
marker ’longside of what I had to duff Inter every 
twenty-four hours, an’ he was allers howlin’ ’bout 
my eatin’ the bread of idleness.” 

“ You’ve earned the best supper that was ever put 
on a table, an’ there wouldn’t be any bread of idle- 
ness to it If you kept on eatin’ an’ loafin’ for the next 
two weeks,” Dick replied with a weary laugh as he 
rolled into his bunk without stopping even to take 
off his boots. 


CHAPTER VII 
tommy’s scheme 

The weary lobster buyers and their employee slept 
hard and late on the night after making harbor be- 
hind Quoddy Head, and even Master Downing 
failed to open his eyes as he would have done at 
the home of Abel Saunders’. 

It was nearly seven o’clock when Tommy awak- 
ened, and after looking out through the companion- 
way and seeing the sun high in the heavens, he 
stood gazing in bewilderment at his employers, as 
if trying to make out why it was so much precious 
time had been wasted. 

“ If you fellows haven’t got anythin’ to do to- 
day, I don’t reckon it makes any very great differ- 
ence how long you lay there sleepin’ like pigs; but 
if you’re countin’ on pullin’ up to Eastport in order 
to telegraph for a new sparker, then it strikes me 
it’s high time you began to stir your stumps 1 ” 

The lobster dealers were on their feet in a twin- 
kling after being thus aroused, and Ezra said sleepily 
as he gazed around the cuddy: 

“ Accordin’ to the looks of things I’d say you 
hadn’t been awake such a very long while.” 

“ An’ that’s the fact, even if I am ashamed of 
it,” Tommy replied with a laugh as he set about 

133 


134 the cruise of THE PHCEBE 

kindling a fire in the cook-stove. “ My, my, but 
wouldn’t Abel Saunders have hopped some if I’d 
ever laid in his bed till the sun was two hours 
high I” 

“ A fellow can’t work all night, an’ then be stir- 
rin’ ’round very lively by sunrise,” Dick added with 
a yawn as he proceeded to make a leisurely toilet. 
“ It seemed as if I hadn’t much more than swal- 
lowed my supper before I fell asleep.” 

“ That’s pretty much what you did do, an’ no- 
body can blame you for bein’ mighty nigh used up,” 
Tommy replied as he bustled around in his task of 
cooking. “ But now that your eyes are open, an’ 
you’re fit for work, as you ought’er be after stayin’ 
in the bunk so long, it strikes me that we can’t af- 
ford to fool away very much more time. It’s a 
long pull from here to the town, an’ you can’t send 
word about the sparker any too soon.” 

Even though the young traders had been so in- 
clined, Master Downing would not have allowed 
them to forget that they had business of the utmost 
importance to attend to before another night should 
come. All the while he was cooking breakfast did 
he continue to urge them to make haste, and even 
while the lads were partaking of the meal they were 
reminded that there was no time to be lost, unless 
they counted on spending the remainder of the season 
at Quoddy Head. 

“ I don’t see why you need do so much frettin’,” 
Dick finally said in a tone of irritation. “ Even if 
we’re obliged to stay here a month, you’ll be gettin’ 
your wages just the same.” 


THE CRUISE OF THE PHGEBE 


135 


“ I don’t know about that,” Master Downing re- 
plied, not a whit abashed by the remark. “ You fel- 
lers have got to pay out a big lot of money to the 
lawyers, an’ if you don’t rush the business I’d like to 
know how I’m goin’ to get a whack at any cash, 
’cause I wouldn’t have the nerve to ask for five dol- 
lars a week when you wasn’t makin’ a cent.” 

“ I reckon we’d better get away as soon as pos- 
sible, else Tommy will wear himself all out frettin’, 
an’ we can’t afford to lose our crew just at this time,” 
Ezra said laughingly. “ It’s a good thing we’ve 
got somebody to keep us sharp up to work, or we 
might be tempted to waste a day after that long 
pull last night.” 

Not until his employers were in the dory rowing 
toward the town did Tommy cease every effort to 
hasten their movements, and then he cried with a 
long-drawn sigh of relief: 

“ Don’t forget to find out what lobsters are sellin’ 
at down this way, an’ it wouldn’t be a bad idee if 
you kept your ears open to learn if the folks here 
have heard anythin’ ’bout that Chinaman busi- 
ness I ” 

Master Downing watched his employers until 
they were lost to view in the distance, and then he 
turned his attention to setting the smack to rights 
generally, beginning with the cuddy and ending with 
the deck, which last he scrubbed until it was as white 
as Mrs. Saunders’ kitchen floor. 

By this time it surely seemed as if he had earned 
a time of repose; but instead of taking his ease in one 
of the bunks, he stationed himself in the wheel- 


136 THE CRUISE OF THE PHCEBE 

house where he could see all that occurred in the vi- 
cinity. 

“ It’s a great scheme, an’ I believe it would 
work! ” he said to himself after having remained in 
deep study several moments. “ There must be 
plenty of fishermen near about here, an’ I’d soon 
snake ’em out if we had another boat.” 

Then it seemed very much as if Master Brown- 
ing’s admiration for the “ scheme ” increased the 
more he turned it over in mind, for after a while 
he could no longer content himself with remaining in 
the wheel-house, but paced fore and aft on the deck 
as if on the lookout for somebody or something, 
all the while singing softly: 

“ I’se bound to run all day, 

I’se bound to run all night; 

I’ve bet my money on a bob-tailed nag. 
Somebody’s bettin’ on the bay.” 

When half an hour had passed, an expression of 
satisfaction and expectancy came over his face, for 
then it was that a man in a dory pulled around the 
Head, and on the instant Tommy had his hands to 
his mouth in speaking-trumpet fashion, as he shouted : 

“ Ahoy in the dory! Pull in this way, will yer? ” 

The newcomer turned leisurely to see who had 
hailed him, and then swung the dory around ever so 
slightly to head her for the smack. 

“ How’s the fishin’ ? ” Master Downing asked as 
the stranger approached within easy hailing dis- 
tance. 

“ Fair to middlin’. What craft is that? ” 




THE CRUISE OF THE PHOEBE 137 

“The Phoebe; we busted our sparker last night, 
an’ had to anchor here so’s the other fellers could 
telegraph for a new one.” 

“ What’s a sparker? ” the man asked as he pulled 
alongside and moored the dory by laying hold of the 
Phoebe’s rail. 

“ Blest if I know; but it’s somethin’ that keeps the 
engine runnin’, an’ we’re bound to lay here till we 
can get a new one. Say, any lobsters ’round here for 
sale?” 

“ Who are you buyin’ for? ” 

“ Oh, I ain’t in it at all, ’cept that I’m workin’ 
for a couple of fellers who’ve jest gone^ inter the 
business, an’ seein’s how we’re held up here it kind’er 
struck me that we might buy what the fishermen have 
got on hand, so’s not to be wastin’ time.” 

“ Where do you hail from? ” 

“Westbay; that’s up Portland way, you know.” 

“ What’er you payin’ ? ” 

“We gave eight cents for the last load we bought, 
an’ allowed that they’d run a pound an’ a half 
apiece. I reckon you can’t get any more’n that in 
Eastport, eh ? ” 

“ They was givin’ seven the last time I was in 
town; but the price may have gone up since then.” 

“ I don’t reckon it has; leastways, I haven’t heard 
anythin’ ’bout it, an’ we left Portland yesterday 
mornin’. It would be a big savin’ of work if you 
could sell your catch right here, without havin’ to 
freight it up to Eastport, an’ these fellers what runs 
this smack are payin’ spot cash.” 

“ Wa’al, yes, there’s a leetle somethin’ in that. 


138 THE CRUISE OF THE PHCEBE 

though a man feels like goin’ to town now an’ then 
if for nothin’ else than to hear the news,” the fisher- 
man replied hesitatingly. 

“ There’s nothin’ to hinder your goin’ to Eastport 
whenever you want’er; but it’s a good deal better 
to run up with nothin’ on your mind, an’ plenty of 
big, round dollars in your inside pocket, don’t yer 
know? Say, how many have you got? ” 

“ Somewhere ’bout a hundred, an’ p’rhaps one or 
two more.” 

“ Where do you hang out? ” 

“ Up shore half a mile.” • 

“ Say, why don’t you bring ’em down this after- 
noon, after the fellers come back from telegraphin’ 
for a sparker, an’ get your good money for ’em? ” 

“ I ain’t sure but I will,” and the man released his 
hold of the Phoebe’s rail, allowing the wind to carry 
him slowly up the harbor. “ I’ll think it over, an’ 
maybe I’ll pull down this evenin’.” 

“Any other fishermen over your way?” 

“Quite a smart lot of ’em; ’bout one to every 
lobster, it seems to me.” 

“ Tell ’em what we’re payin’, an’ see if you can’t 
bring ’em down. We’ll tell you all the news that’s 
floatin’ ’round, so that part of it will be the same 
as if you was in town.” 

“ I’ll think it over,” the fisherman replied as he 
took up the oars once more, and Tommy winked 
gravely at the reflection of his own face in the 
window of the wheel-house, as he said to himself: 

“ I reckon it’ll pay to keep my eye skinned the 
rest of this day, an’ it ain’t so certain that we can’t 


THE CRUISE OF THE PHCEBE 139 

pick up quite a cargo even while we’re layin’ at an- 
chor.” 

In the meanwhile, Ezra and Dick were doing their 
portion of the day’s work, although not in a thor- 
oughly satisfactory manner. After a long pull up to 
the town they made their way to the telegraph office, 
and there sent a message to the firm of Marshall & 
Jordan, asking that the sparker be sent to them at 
the earliest possible moment. 

The telegraph operator, who did not appear to be 
pressed for time, asked with a smile as he read the 
message : 

“ Broke down, eh? That’s the worst with them 
power boats, you never can tell when they’re goin’ 
back on a fellow. Down here pleasurin’, I reckon? ” 

“ We’re buyin’ lobsters,” Ezra replied, thinking it 
necessary to make this explanation to the end that his 
message might appear of more importance. 

“ I don’t reckon you’re the ones that run off the 
Chinaman, eh? ” and the man laughed as if believing 
he had said something very witty. Then, without 
waiting for an answer, much to the relief of the 
boys, he added, “ I see by the paper this mornin’ 
that Eliphalet Barnes had a hand in the business, an’ 
he no more than barely out of jail! It beats all 
how that old villain likes to get the best of the cus- 
toms officers.” 

“Do they know him down this way?” Dick 
asked, not realizing that he might arouse suspicion by 
showing that he had any acquaintance with the smug- 
gler. 

“Know him? Why he makes Eastport his 


140 THE CRUISE OF THE PHGEBE 

stampin’ ground, except when the officers are after 
him too close. Talk about smugglin’ I Why, he’d 
be in the business if there wasn’t a cent to be made 
by it; there’s nothin’ pleases him better than to get 
the best of the law, an’ I’m allowin’ that that China- 
man trick pleased him way down to the ground.” 

“ You’ll send that message right off, won’t you? ” 
Ezra asked abruptly as he turned to leave the office. 
“ We can’t get away till it has been answered, an’ 
don’t want to stay any longer than is necessary.” 

“ I’ll shove it right through,” the man replied, but 
he remained at the window as if eager to prolong the 
one-sided conversation, and Ezra hurriedly left the 
office, with Dick close at his heels. 

“ It begins to look as if we stood as good a chance 
of gettin’ into trouble here as at Boothbay,” Master 
Upton said in a whisper to his partner when they 
were on the street once more, and Dick replied: 

‘‘ We’d better get a newspaper, an’ then skin back 
to the Phoebe as soon as possible. I’m beginnin’ to 
think it isn’t safe to admit that we’re in the lobster 
business.” 

When they arrived at a shop where newspapers 
were sold, however, Dick grew even more cautious 
than before, and said as he prevented his partner 
from entering: 

“ Buy somethin’ else first, Ezra. If we go in 
there simply for a newspaper, somebody will think 
we’re after it in order to find out what has been 
done about smugglin’ the Chinaman, an’ we shall be 
in a worse scrape than ever ! ” 

Therefore it was that Ezra purchased half a 


THE CRUISE OF THE PHGEBE 141 

dozen sheets of letter paper and some envelopes, after 
which he picked up the newspaper as if it had just 
occurred to him that it might prove entertaining, 
and, this done, the boys hurried out of the shop lest 
the clerk should attempt to enter into conversation 
regarding that which Eliphalet Barnes had done. 

Once on the sidewalk again Ezra would have 
scanned the printed sheets to learn if there was any- 
thing new regarding that matter in which they were 
so deeply interested ; but Dick stopped him by saying 
nervously : 

“Wait till we’re down the harbor! It won’t do 
to let all the people see us huntin’ over the pa- 
per.” 

Ezra put the purchases in his pocket without a 
word; but he was beginning to think that his partner 
was growing altogether too timid, because it required 
quite a stretch of the imagination to suppose that 
two lads would be suspected of being implicated in 
a crime simply because of being seen reading a news- 
paper. 

To Dick’s great relief of mind, no one made any 
attempt to engage them in conversation as they 
walked toward the dock where the dory had been 
left, and little time was lost in setting off for the 
Phoebe, both boys rowing steadily until they were a 
full mile from the town, when Master Marshall 
said eagerly : 

“ Now give me that paper, an’ we’ll see what’s 
said about the lobster smack that did Mr. Barnes’ 
trick for him.” 

He quickly found that for which he was seeking. 


142 THE CRUISE OF THE PHCEBE 

and there was a look of dismay on his face as he 
cried : 

“ Listen to this! I tell you that we’ll be mighty 
lucky if some of the folks down this way don’t take 
it into their heads to pull us up with a sharp turn I ” 

Then Dick read the following: 

“ The Veteran Smuggler Again. 

“ The officers who are on the track of those who 
aided the Chinaman to escape from Vinalhaven, after 
he had probably been smuggled over the border, are 
not inclined to give out very much in the way of in- 
formation; but our reporters have learned that there 
is no question but the veteran smuggler, so well known 
along the coast from Boothbay to Calais, had a 
hand in the matter. It is quite certain he learned of 
what was on foot before leaving the jail in Portland, 
where he had been serving a sentence for smuggling 
brandy, and brought with him a power boat, or a 
lobster smack, it is not certain which, to finish the 
job. What Eliphalet Barnes doesn’t know about 
running liquids or Chinese across the border isn’t 
worth knowing, and this time he has landed his 
Chinaman in good shape, for no clue to the where- 
abouts of the fellow has been picked up. 

“ Barnes defies the officers to connect him in any 
way with the matter, since no one has been found who 
can swear that he ever even saw the pig-tailed fugi- 
tive, although it is generally believed that Eliphalet 
carried the Chinaman away from Boothbay in a dory, 
transferring him to the power boat outside the har- 
bor. The officers believe their only hope of bring- 



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THE CRUISE OF THE PHCEBE 143 

ing Barnes to justice is to first get their hands on 
those who were in charge of the steamer, and to 
that end all their efforts will be directed.” 

“We sure did get ourselves into a scrape when we 
took that twenty dollars,” Ezra said half to himself 
when his partner ceased reading. “ I can’t wonder 
that the people down this way are curious regarding 
lobster smacks, an’ it’ll be a big piece of luck if 
we don’t get into a mighty tight box before it is pos- 
sible to move the Phoebe ! ” 

“ Why is it* printed here that the officers are 
huntin’ for our craft? I thought the lawyers father 
hired told the customs officers the whole story?” 
Dick asked nervously, and Ezra replied in a sooth- 
ing tone: 

“ The newspaper writers must be guessin’ at a 
whole lot; it says in the beginnin’ that the officers 
won’t give out much information. Perhaps we’re 
more scared than hurt.” 

“ We’re scared all right,” Dick said grimly, and 
then the two boys relapsed into silence, neither 
speaking until they had arrived within sight of the 
Phoebe, when Ezra cried in a tone of alarm: 

“ They’ve found us out already ! Look at that 
swarm of boats alongside the smack I Do you sup- 
pose they count on arrestin’ us?” 

Dick’s face paled as he gazed at the scene, which 
certainly was not calculated to reassure boys with 
guilty consciences. 

There were at least four dories alongside the 
Phoebe, and a number of men were moving about 


144 the cruise of THE PHOEBE 

on the smack’s deck as if waiting for someone. 
Tommy was flitting here and there, but he also was 
on the lookout, and could be seen pointing toward 
his employers, as if calling attention to the fact that 
they were returning. 

“ Shall we keep on, or try to give them the slip by 
pullin’ back to town ? ” Dick asked in a tremulous 
whisper, and several seconds elapsed before Ezra re^ 
plied in a voice that was none too steady: 

“ There’s nothin’ for it but to keep on. What 
good would it do to make any attempt at runnin’ 
away if these people have found out that we were 
the ones who carried the Chinaman to Portland? 
We’ve got to face the music, Dick, an’ the sooner 
we have it over the better we’ll feel. Surely the 
lawyer your father has hired ought to help us some 
little, although I reckon we’ve got to go to jail for 
a while, which means good-bye to the business.” 

The tears were very near Ezra’s eyelids as he 
ceased speaking, and Dick had such a big lump in his 
throat that he was kept busy trying to swallow it, 
therefore no reply could be expected from him. 

Steadily the boys pulled toward their doom, as 
they thought, never turning to look at the smack 
until they heard Tommy’s voice in a triumphant tone : 

“ Here’s where we take on a cargo even if the 
sparker has gone wrong ! Why don’t you fellers put 
a little more beef on the oars, for these men don’t 
want to hang ’round all night ! ” 

“ What are they here for? ” Ezra cried, finding it 
very difficult. to prevent a tremor in his voice. 

“ To sell lobsters, of course. There are nigh to 


THE CRUISE OF THE PHCEBE 145 

four hundred alongside waitin’ to be counted, an’ 
I’m allowin’ we can get more ’twixt now an’ to-mor- 
row night. What made you stay so long? I’ve 
been givin’ out that you’d be back before noon.” 

The partners glanced at each other much as if 
ashamed, and Dick said in a whisper: 

“ There’s more business in Tommy’s little finger 
than I’ve got in my whole body, an’ we came near 
runnin’ away because he was workin’ in our inter- 
est!” 

“We’ve shown ourselves to be big fools; but 
there’s no need tellin’ anybody of it,” Ezra replied 
in a low tone, and then the dory bumped against the 
side of the smack. 

Five minutes later the work of taking the lobsters 
aboard was begun, and for the time being the part- 
ners forgot that they were probably being hunted 
down by the officers of the law. 

Not until three hundred and eight marketable lob- 
sters were put into the Phoebe’s well and paid for, 
did the lessees of the smack have an opportunity to 
learn how ably Master Downing had labored in their 
behalf, and then it was the fishermen who declared 
that, in their opinion, it would be possible to take on 
a full cargo within three days, if the lads were ready 
to pay at the rate of eight cents per pound. 

“ You seem to be pretty decent boys, judgin’ from 
the one we’ve been chinnin’ with, an’ we’d like to do 
you a good turn, ’specially when it’s money in our 
pockets,” one of the fishermen said as he got into 
his boat. “ By mornin’ we can send you three or 
four others who’ve got a week’s catch on hand, an’ 


146 THE CRUISE OF THE PHCEBE 

in the meantime we’ll come ’round this way when we 
pull pots, instead of chuckin’ the lobsters inter the 
car.” 

It was when the last visitor had departed that 
Ezra asked Tommy how he succeeded in letting the 
fishermen know they were ready to take a cargo 
aboard, and Master Downing very modestly ex- 
plained his “ scheme,” saying in conclusion : 

“ You staid away so long that I begun to think 
the men would believe I was tryin’ to fool ’em, an’ 
it didn’t make me feel any too good to hear ’em 
talkin’ ’bout Eliphalet Barnes an’ the lobster smack 
he’d hired to run off Chinamen in.” 

“ Did they know about it too ? ” Dick asked in 
dismay. 

“They sure did, an’ I allow there ain’t a fisher- 
man between here an’ Portland that don’t know all 
about it by this time. I wonder if the officers have 
done anythin’ yet ? ” 

For reply, Ezra read to him the paragraph in the 
newspaper, and when he was come to the end Mas- 
ter Downing, instead of being thoroughly frightened 
as his employers had thought would be the case, said 
placidly : 

“ The only thing for us is to keep on buyin’ lob- 
sters the best we know how, an’ hold our tongues. 
That’s Campebello island yonder, an’ one of the men 
told me I could pick up a good many there. How 
would it do to run over in the mornin’? ” 

“ I reckon you’d better go ahead an’ do whatever 
you think best. Tommy,” Dick said with a laugh. 
“ When this firm started out Ezra thought he was 


THE CRUISE OF THE PHCEBE 147 

the only one who knew anythin’ ’bout lobsters; but 
I’m allowin’ you’ve got him beat out of sight.” 

“I reckon you telegraphed all right?” Master 
Downing said questioningly, without seemingly pay- 
ing any attention to the praise bestowed upon him by 
his employer, and when Ezra assured him that they 
had performed their portion of the day’s work prop- 
erly, he added, “ Then I’ll see what can be done 
for dinner. We’re bound to eat, even if the sparker 
has gone back on us, an’ I’m feelin’ mighty empty. 
What do you say to another lobster chowder? ” 

“ That will fit in just right, now that we’ve got 
over bein’ scared,” Ezra said with a cheery laugh. 
“ Take a couple of lobsters so’s to have enough, 
an’ early in the mornin’ I’ll see if I can’t get a mess 
of fresh fish.” 

Then the partners lent their “ crew ” a hand in 
the work of cooking dinner, and when the meal was 
come to an end they were feeling so much better in 
mind that Ezra told of all that had frightened them 
since starting out to send the telegram. 

“ I’m allowin’ all hands of us are likely to get it 
pretty rough before this ’ere business of smugglin’ a 
Chinaman is wound up ; but that’s no reason why we 
should be scared to death more’n half the time,” 
Master Downing replied philosophically. “ Things 
will come along jest about so fast an’ hard, whether 
you’re watchin’ out for ’em or not, an’ so long as 
matters can’t be changed by gettin’ all stewed up 
over ’em, I believe in takin’ it easy while you can.” 

Having thus expressed his opinion. Tommy set 
about washing the dishes, and his employers were 


148 THE CRUISE OF THE PHGEBE 

not so selfish as to remain idle while he was at work. 

The boys turned in very early on this night, for 
there was much sleep to be made up even though they 
had remained in their bunks so late that morning, 
and when Ezra awakened another day had come. 

There was no fire in the cook-stove; Tommy’s bunk 
was empty, and never a sound came from the deck to 
tell that he was attending to the morning duties. 

There was something so odd about this absence of 
the boy who was always hunting for work to per- 
form, that Master Upton hastened on deck without 
waiting to dress, and was none the wiser on looking 
around carefully, except that he came to know the 
dory was also missing. 

“ Turn out, Dick ! Tommy has gone off some- 
where in the dory I ” 

“ Well, I don’t know how I can bring him back,” 
Dick replied as he crept out of his bunk lazily. 
“What’s he up to now?” 

“ That’s what I wish we knew. You don’t sup- 
pose he’s thinkin’ to give us the slip because of that 
Chinaman business, eh ? ” 

“What? Tommy?” and Dick laughed boister- 
ously. “ Haven’t you come to know that young 
fisherman well enough by this time, to understand 
that he wouldn’t leave us even though it was a case 
of goin’ to prison all by his lonesome if he staid? 
He’s got some scheme in his head, an’ it has to do 
with gettin’ a cargo, or I’m further out of my reck- 
onin’ than I ever was before. Tommy comes pretty 
near bein’ our boss, an’ he knows it; you couldn’t 


THE CRUISE OF THE PHCEBE 149 

drive him away with a club while there were lobsters 
to be bought.” 

“ Well, it’s a case of gettin’ our own breakfast, no 
matter what has taken him away, so turn to an’ do 
your share,” Ezra said just a trifle discontentedly, 
for after having been waited upon by such a good 
cook as was Master Downing, it seemed almost a 
hardship to be thrown on his own resources. 

The meal had been prepared, and was very nearly 
eaten, when Tommy returned, heated by the exercise 
of rowing, and ready for anything in the way of food 
that might be put before him. 

“ Didn’t know what had become of me, eh? ” he 
said cheerily, seating himself at the table without 
ceremony. “I kind’er allowed you’d be surprised; 
but it seemed a shame to waken you when there was 
no real need of it. I turned out about sunrise, an’ 
it struck me that it would be a savin’ of time if I 
went over to Campebello island to see the fishermen 
there. I’ve done quite a lot of business, an’ reckon 
we’ll take in a slat of lobsters between now an’ night. 
’Cordin’ to all accounts, the folks down this way 
haven’t been gettin’ eight cents for a long spell, an’ 
are keen to sell, thinkin’ you’re so green to your job 
that you don’t really know how much ought’er be 
paid, so they’ll get the best of us while they can. I 
kind’er helped ’em keep up that idee, so don’t give 
it away.” 

“ An’ you’ve fixed things fo your likin’, eh? ” Dick 
asked with a sly glance at Ezra, to remind him that 
he had suspected this hard-working lad of having 


150 THE CRUISE OF THE PHGEBE 

attempted to run away from the trouble which threat- 
ened. 

“ I did for a fact, though the job ain’t finished 
yet, ’cause I’ve got to pull up shore ’bout a mile as 
soon as breakfast is over.” 

“What’s that for?” 

“ Well, you see I came across a fisherman layin’ 
at anchor, who said he’d put me on to where all the 
lobster catchers lived, if I’d bring some stuff over 
here for him, an’ of course I jumped at the chance, 
seein’s I’d never been on the island before.” 

“What was it you brought over?” Ezra asked 
with mild curiosity. 

“ I don’t know; it’s a big slat of somethin’, an’ I’ll 
finish the job now, for I’m through eatin’.” 

“ I’ll go with you,” Dick cried quickly, “ an’ 
that’ll leave Ezra to wash the dishes.” 

Then, as if fearing that his partner might not 
agree to such a division of labor, Dick hurried on 
deck, and, on looking down into the dory that lay 
alongside, saw two large packages, the wrappings of 
which appeared to be old bags. 

“ I wonder what’s inside? ” he asked mildly, and 
Tommy said with a laugh : 

“ It don’t make any difference so long as they’re to 
be carried ’cordin’ to agreement. Jump in an’ we’ll 
be off!” 

The boys, each pulling a pair of oars, rowed off 
at their best speed, and after running along the shore 
for a mile or more, arrived at a small pier near where 
a short row of stakes, not unlike an old fish-weir, ran 
out into the water. 


THE CRUISE OF THE PHGEBE 15 1 

“ This must be the place,” Tommy said with a 
sigh of relief. “ The fisherman told me to sing out 
for ‘ Jack,’ an’ somebody would come, so here goes! ” 

He repeated the name at the full strength of his 
lungs four or five times before receiving any answer, 
and Dick was on the point of proposing that they 
give it up as a bad job, believing Tommy had made 
some mistake as to the location, when a man suddenly 
appeared from behind an overturned boat. 

Coming to the water’s edge, he said sharply: 

“ Don’t raise such a racket 1 Anybody would 
think you wanted the whole state to hear you 1 ” 

“ I don’t care who hears so long as I deliver this 
stuff ’cordin’ to agreement,” and Master Downing 
swung the dory inshore, running her nose on the 
beach directly in front of the stranger, who seized 
one of the packages, carrying it inland hurriedly. 

“ Stay where you are 1 ” he cried in a peremptory 
tone, on seeing that Tommy had stepped ashore as if 
to assist in the unloading, and after dropping the 
burden he carried, hastened back to take up the re- 
maining package. 

“ You tell ’em the next time they send any of this 
stuff over, to get somebody to handle it who’s got 
common sense,” the man said surlily as he started in- 
land once more. “ I don’t allow to have dealing’s 
with a noisy brute like you, who can’t hold your 
tongue.” 

“ Don’t run away with the idee that I’m goin’ 
to bring anythin’ more to a sticklebat like you 1 ” 
Tommy cried wrathfully as he pushed off the dory, 
and added in a lower tone when they were well clear 


152 THE CRUISE OF THE PHCEBE 

of the shore, “ I got the best end of that trade, so 
I can afford to put up with some of his lip. If it 
hadn’t been for the fisherman who sent the stuff 
over. I’d never known where to find the lobster 
catchers.” 

Half an hour later the dory was alongside the 
Phoebe once more, and Master Downing went into 
the cuddy to make certain Ezra had set it to rights 
in proper fashion. 


CHAPTER VIII 


MR. BARNES 

As a matter of course the boys discussed with no 
little animation the reception which had been ac- 
corded Master Downing by the man for whom it 
was to be supposed they had done a favor. 

Both Ezra and Dick were inclined to lose their 
tempers because of what had been said; but Tommy 
treated it quite in the light of a bargain in which 
he had had the advantage. 

“If we take in five or six hundred lobsters this 
afternoon, Pm reckonin’ we’re gettin’ the best end of 
that trade, an’ I’d have been willin’ to do a good 
deal more’n what I did, for the sake of gettin’ at 
the fishermen without spendin’ a whole day huntin’ 
’round. Old Sticklebat didn’t do us any harm with 
his tongue, an’ what’s more, he carried the stuff ashore 
himself, when I was countin’ on havin’ to lug it quite 
a bit.” 

The partners were not inclined to look at the mat- 
ter in as philosophical a light; to their minds that 
which had been done was a courtesy on the part of 
their employee, and instead of showing gratitude, 
the stranger had heaped abuse upon them through 
Tommy. 

“ If that’s all we’re goin’ to have to fret about on 
this cruise. I’ll be well satisfied,” Master Downing 

153 


154 the cruise of THE PHCEBE 

said contentedly, and then he took up his station in 
the wheel-house that he might get an early glimpse 
of those whom he believed would come to trade. 

Within an hour the young lobster buyers were 
busily engaged adding to their cargo. Fisherman 
after fisherman, whether from the island or the 
nearby shore it could not be said, arrived, some 
bringing a catch numbering no more than twelve, 
and others with fifty or sixty, until, before it was 
time to even think of dinner, they had taken on board 
the Phoebe, and paid for, two hundred and ten lob- 
sters fit for the market, in addition to having half 
a dozen joes for their own use. 

Pm beginnin’ to think that we’re doin’ even bet- 
ter than if the Phoebe hadn’t broken down,” Ezra 
said gleefully when they were alone once more, and 
had time in which to take an account of stock. “ It 
isn’t costin’ us a great deal to lay here, an’ I’m not 
certain but that we’re gettin’ quite as many lobsters 
as if we were runnin’ ’round usin’ up gasoline. But 
it surely seemed like a serious accident when the 
sparker gave way.” 

“ There’s nothin’ bad comes to a feller that he 
can’t get some good out of,” Master Downing said 
with the air of a philosopher, as he set about frying 
joes for dinner. “ There’s good business to be done 
all along this part of the coast for buyers who are 
willin’ to come reg’larly, an’ pay a fair price; but 
some of these traders seem to think that it’s a smart 
trick, when they get a good ways from home, to 
whittle down a fisherman to the lowest inch. You 
can’t make anythin’ out of sich funny snaps, for 


THE CRUISE OF THE PHOEBE 155 

they’re bound to be found out in the long run, an’ 
then him that plays ’em has to suffer.” 

The three boys were in the cuddy while thus dis- 
cussing the situation and at the same time preparing 
dinner, when the Phoebe quivered under a sharp shock 
on the starboard side of the hull, which was imme- 
diately followed by the sound as of some one leaping 
on the deck, and Master Downing cried cheerily: 

“ Here’s more of a cargo for yer ; but unless there’s 
a big slat alongside I may as well keep on gettin’ 
dinner.” 

Ezra and Dick started at the same time to go up 
the companion-way stairs; but both stopped very 
suddenly when they saw through the open hatch the 
face of Eliphalet Barnes, and on it was a most dis- 
agreeable grin. 

“Hello, my brave lads! You’re lookin’ mighty 
snug down there, eh?” 

“What do you want?” Ezra asked angrily, and 
Mr. Barnes replied as he came into the cuddy, liter- 
ally shouldering the partners aside when they would 
have disputed his entrance: 

“ Why, to have a little bit of a talk with you, of 
course. It seems I came jest at the right time to get 
my share of the dinner.” 

“ You’ll get nothin’ here,” Dick said angrily, “ an’ 
what’s more, you’re goin’ over the rail in short order 1 
After the trick you played us off Vinalhaven, which 
is likely to send us to prison, it takes a good deal 
of nerve to show yourself where we are.” 

“ Now, now, lad, don’t get excited. In the first 
place there’s no reason for it, an’ then agin it’s a 


156 THE CRUISE OF THE PHCEBE 

bad trait. I allow that more’n once Fve let myself 
get mixed up in the same fashion; but never found 
that it paid except once. Then I must confess it did, 
when I had a squabble aboard this smack, for if you 
hadn’t set me adrift just at that time, I’d never been 
able to turn as good a trade as came my way later. 
I reckon you landed the sick man all right, else I 
would have heard about it before this? ” 

Mr. Barnes, while speaking, had seated himself 
on one of the lockers, taken from his pocket a short, 
black pipe, and was lighting it as calmly and con- 
tentedly as if he had been a valued guest rather than 
an exceedingly disagreeable intruder. 

“ That sick man was a Chinaman, an’ if we hadn’t 
found it out before, we’d know it now because of 
readin’ an’ account of your exploits in the papers,” 
Dick said, his anger increasing momentarily. 
“ Through you we’ve got into a scrape that’s likely 
to cost us all the money we can make this summer! 
So the sooner you get out of here the better we’ll be 
pleased.” 

As he spoke, the lad seized a stout stick which 
Tommy had brought aboard to be whittled into 
kindlings, and stood brandishing it threateningly. 

“ Now see here, young feller,” Mr. Barnes began 
with a certain seriousness of tone which was almost 
menacing. “ We’re goin’ to have a bit of a chat 
before I go ashore, an’ considerin’ all that’s happened 
since we last met. I’ll allow it’s to your interest to 
take part in it. We won’t have any rough house un- 
less you’re determined to act like a bloomin’ idjut, 
an’ in case we get to playin’ a bit tough I shall come 


THE CRUISE OF THE PHGEBE 157 

out of the trouble considerably ahead, seein’s I’m 
prepared for whatever kind of a row you lads may 
be foolish enough to raise,” and Mr. Barnes tapped 
his pocket as if to intimate that there he had a 
weapon. 

“What is it you’ve got to say?” Ezra asked 
sharply, understanding that, although they were three 
to one, it would not be well for them to attempt to 
force the visitor over the rail, because the chances 
were many that he had friends in the immediate vi- 
cinity. Even though the crew of the Phoebe might 
succeed, which was doubtful, in temporarily getting 
the best of a fight, it could readily be turned into a 
costly victory. “ Say what you’ve got in your mind, 
an’ then go, for in addition to the fact that we have 
no desire to talk to you, it’s dangerous, after all that 
has happened, for us to be seen in your company.” 

“ I’m allowin’ it might be a bit awkward if some 
of them as live in Eastport should see us together jest 
now, for then it would be said that yours was the 
smack that carried off my sick friend, an’ the customs 
officers would take you in charge. But seein’s how 
this ’ere craft is layin’ where she is, with no show 
that anybody except friends of mine will come along- 
side, we’ve got all the show we want for a quiet little 
chat.” 

“ Well, drive ahead with it then,” Dick screamed, 
almost unable to control himself, so irritating was 
the sight of the smuggler smoking his pipe in the 
Phoebe’s cuddy as if he had every right to remain 
there. “ Get through with it, an’ then go, for if it 
should happen that some one came alongside who 


158 THE CRUISE OF THE PHCEBE 

wasn’t a friend of yours, I’d take the risk of what 
might come to us, an’ give information concernin’ 
the part you played in sendin’ the Chinaman to Port- 
land.” 

“ An’ there’s where you’d be actin’ mighty foolish, 
, my son, because in the first place you’re as deep in 
the mud as I am in the mire, an’ a little deeper, 
’cordin’ to the way I look at it. It’s dead certain 
you carried the Chinaman to Portland, an’ unless I’m 
way off my reckonin’ you’ve already owned up to 
it. Now so far as proof that I was mixed up in the 
matter is concerned, there’s nothin’ but your word, 
an’ I’m allowin’ that wouldn’t go very far after all 
that’s been said an’ done, because it would look as if 
you was only tryin’ to get out of a mighty tight 
place. To begin with, I want you lads to run over 
to Campebello an’ take aboard some truck I’ve got 
there, to be put ashore anywhere roundabout Casco 
bay.” 

“ Some of your smugglin’ business, eh?” Master 
Downing asked, speaking for the first time since 
the visitor had entered. 

“ Yes, that’s jest what it is, my son, an’ you can 
make more out of the job, without takin’ any risks, 
than you could by freightin’ three cargoes of lob- 
sters.” 

“ You must be crazy or drunk, to think we’d do 
anythin’ of the kind,” Ezra said decidedly, and 
striving hard to keep his temper under control. 

“ How do you make that out? ” Mr. Barnes asked 
with a certain insolence of tone and manner well 
calculated to arouse the anger of his hearers. 



‘ we’re not in the smugglin’ business, nor don’t intend 

TO TAKE ANY PART IN IT.’ ” 




THE CRUISE OF THE PHCEBE 


159 


“We’re not in the smugglin’ business, nor don’t 
intend to take any part in it. As a matter of fact, 
if you could fill our well with lobsters this minute in 
an honest trade, we’d refuse to have anything what- 
soever to do with you, even though the whole busi- 
ness was legitimate.” 

“ You might have talked that yesterday,” and Mr. 
Barnes seemed to find it difficult to check his mirth. 
“ Then you could have said that carryin’ the sick man 
was a mistake; but when it had been shown that 
after doin’ the job an’ takin’ big money for it — an’ 
you know that twenty dollars for carryin’ a passenger 
from Vinalhaven to Portland was so far out of reason 
that unless your wits had gone wool-gatherin’ en- 
tirely you’d have known there was somethin’ crooked. 
So I say, that after cartin’ the Chinaman off, you 
followed me straight here, an’ inside of twenty-four 
hours after cornin’ to anchor smuggled a lot of 
brandy ashore, makin’ it appear all the while as if 
you were honest lobster buyers.” 

“ What do you mean? ” Dick cried as he advanced 
threateningly toward the speaker, who replied quietly 
as he leaned back against the bunk, thrusting his 
thumbs in the arm-holes of his vest: 

“ Mean ? Why nothin’ more’n to remind you of a 
little game you’ve been workin’ since cornin’ here to 
meet me ’cordin’ to agreement, for that’s what the 
customs officers will say, an’ if it isn’t true, how does 
it happen that you bring over from Campebello a 
slat of my brandy? ” 

“Campebello?” Ezra repeated in bewilderment. 
“ Even if we had brought anythin’ of the kind from 


i6o THE CRUISE OF THE PHOEBE 


there, how could it be called smugglin’, or have any- 
thin’ to do with you? ” 

“ Why, jest this, my son: Campebello is part of 
the Dominion of Canada, an’ this ’ere is the United 
States. What did you do when you struck East- 
port? You went ashore an’ telegraphed. Then 
you bought a newspaper to see whether you’d been 
found out or not, an’ learnin’ that the customs offi- 
cers wasn’t dead sure which smack carried the China- 
man, you are feelin’ perky enough to go over to 
Campebello, get two dozen quarts of the best brandy, 
an’ land it here inside of Quoddy Head.” 

“When do you claim we did that?” Ezra cried, 
now almost beside himself with rage. 

“ Why, this mornin’, of course. It ain’t over 
three hours since you put the stuff ashore. I 
wouldn’t dare try sich a game where I’m well known, 
an’ likely to run across them as are not friends. But 
you did, an’ it was worked all right. I’ve got plenty 
of proof, if it should come to a show down.” 

The stick dropped from Dick’s fingers; it seemed 
as if all his strength had suddenly deserted him when 
he realized that Mr. Barnes had played another and 
even more serious trick upon them. Because of 
neglecting, or forgetting, his study of geography, the 
fact that the island of Campebello was English ter- 
ritory had not come Into his mind until this moment. 

Now, as If the matter had been called to his at- 
tention for the first time, he realized that those pack- 
ages wrapped in old bags which he and Tommy had 
carried up the coast In the dory, might well have 
been made up of bottles, and there was no question In 


THE CRUISE OF THE PHGEBE i6i 


the lad’s mind but that for the second time they were 
guilty of an offense against the law. 

“ I reckon now you’re cornin’ to see that we’d bet- 
ter have a little quiet chat, eh? ” Mr. Barnes asked 
with a leer, “ an’ seein’s a word dropped by me would 
bring about your arrest, it’ll pay to come to my terms 
regardin’ this last job I’m talkin’ about, for the sake 
of keepin’ my mouth shut? ” 

The partners were literally unable to reply be- 
cause of the fear which had come upon them. Even 
Master Downing, who was usually ever ready with 
a pert reply or timely suggestion, stood looking into 
the frying-pan where the bits of breaded lobster were 
being burned to a crust, as if searching there with 
his eyes for some solution to this most serious and 
difficult problem. 

The smuggler waited fully half a minute for one 
of his hosts to speak, and failing in getting a reply, 
said in a business-like tone, and one which he evi- 
dently intended should sound friendly: 

“ I hate to crowd lads like you when you’re down, 
an’ I’m willin’ to go as far as to say that I wouldn’t 
have done it if you’d been half way decent with me 
when I was lookin’ for a passage to Swans island. 
I ain’t sayin’ but that I should have shoved my sick 
friend off on you, no matter how things had gone on 
that first day we met; but it was all fair an’ above- 
board, seein’s how you took about six prices for the 
job, consequently you can’t do very much in the way 
of grumblin’. Of course I may as well admit that I 
gave you the chance to smuggle the brandy, seein’s 
you fell right into my hands, so to speak. I was 


1 62 THE CRUISE OF THE PHGEBE 


aboard the fisherman, an’ saw you pullin’ that way, 
so had plenty of time to fix up for the game. Now 
the fact is that you’ve been reg’larly smugglin’ across 
the line, an’ I’m allowin’ that if you should tell any 
fair-minded judge you didn’t know what the stuff was 
you brought away from Campebello, he’d feel mighty 
near positive you was lyin’. I’m willin’ to let up on 
you from this time out, if you’ll carry the cargo we’ve 
been talkin’ about. It won’t interfere with your 
lobster business, because it ain’t so bulky as all that, 
an’ I’m givin’ you the thing straight when I say 
there ain’t one chance in a hundred you’ll come to 
grief over it.” 

Again Mr. Barnes waited for the reply. Failing, 
as before, to receive any, he stepped to the stove, 
knocked the ashes out of his pipe, which he carefully 
put in his pocket, and went toward the companion- 
way. 

“ You are tied up here, as I know, until the sparker 
you telegraphed for shows up, consequently there’s 
plenty of time for you to turn over in your mind 
what I’ve said. I ain’t afraid you’ll get the best of 
me in any way, because I’ve got my eye out, do you 
see, an’ there are friends enough of mine in East- 
port to let me know jest when the stuff comes for you 
by express. You can count on seein’ me agin within 
an hour after the sparker gets here. If then you 
have made up your mind to stand in with me friendly 
like for this one job, well an’ good; but if so be you 
put up a kick, you’ll find yourself arrested for smug- 
glin’ in short order.” 

“ You don’t dare show yourself to the officers long 


THE CRUISE OF THE PHCEBE 163 

enough to tell what weVe done,” Tommy said, sud- 
denly wheeling about from the stove and facing the 
enemy. 

“ Right you are, my son, an’ I don’t need to when 
it comes to fetchin’ you up with a sharp turn, for 
there are enough around here whose hands are clean 
of smugglin’, so far’s anybody exceptin’ me knows, 
who can give all the information that’s needed. 
Why, bless you, lads, can’t you see that I’ve got to 
be backed up by more’n one on this coast, to be able 
to keep in the business as long as I have, an’ even 
now, when it’s claimed the customs officers are lookin’ 
for me, ain’t I movin’ about without much danger? 
Think it over, as I’ve told you, an’ look at the thing 
from all sides. You’ll see there’s no other way ex- 
cept to do as I tell you ; but once you’ve set a single 
lot of goods ashore for me. I’ll call it quits.” 

Then Mr. Barnes went up the companion-way, and 
the half-dazed, half-frightened lads in the cuddy 
could hear him going over the rail into his boat, while 
a few seconds later the splashing of oars in the water 
told that he was rowing away. 

Not until a full minute had elapsed from the time 
they ceased to hear anything betokening the where- 
abouts of the smuggler, did either of the lads speak, 
and then Dick, clenching his fist and pacing to and 
fro in the narrow cuddy, gave way to exclamations 
of anger and imprudent threats. 

“ You won’t get out of the scrape by ravin’,” Mas- 
ter Downing said after listening to the torrent of 
words a moment or two. “ There’s no question but 
that Eliphalet Barnes has got the bulge on us, as 


1 64 THE CRUISE OF THE PHCEBE 

things stand now, an’ if we keep on blowin’ off 
steam he’ll still have it. What’s needed is to figger 
how we can get the best of him.” 

“ Now you’re talkin’ like a simple I ” Dick cried 
angrily. “ How is it possible for us to get the best 
of him with the smack layin’ here helpless? Of 
course you may say that we could get up to town an’ 
sneak off on the train, if there’s one runnin’ in this 
section of the country. But I’m of the opinion that 
he wasn’t making any brags when he told about peo- 
ple bein’ interested in his smugglin’, an’ we should 
come to grief before it was possible to get away. 
Besides, I’m not goin’ to abandon this smack, for 
I’d rather let them arrest me ten times over than go 
home an’ tell father we’d been frightened out of 
our wits by a jail bird.” 

“ There’s no question but that he has frightened 
us,” Ezra said moodily, and Tommy added with a 
grimace : 

“We needn’t squabble over that part of it; but 
the idea of runnin’ away from the smack never come 
into my head. It seems to me that between the three 
of us we ought’er be able to rig up some plan for 
gettin’ the best of Eliphalet Barnes.” 

“ Suppose you set about the job, an’ see what 
kind of a fist you can make of it? ” Dick cried sar- 
castically, and Master Downing, seeming to believe 
that the proposition was made in good faith, said 
quietly : 

“All right. I’ll do it; but I’m reckonin’ we may 
as well finish what we’d begun. This ’ere lobster 
has gone up for a fact; but I’ll get another, an’ after 


THE CRUISE OF THE PHCEBE 165 

we’ve had dinner perhaps I’ll get a scheme in my 
mind.” 

“Yes, perhaps” Dick said angrily; but Tommy 
gave no heed to his employer’s ill temper. 

While he prepared a second meal to take the place 
of that which had been burned, little or no conversa- 
tion was indulged in. 

The young traders had sufficient food for thought 
to keep them silent, and Master Downing was so 
busily engaged concocting his plan that he surely 
could not waste any time in talking. 

The meal was eaten in silence. Dick and Ezra, 
thoroughly disturbed in mind, soon satisfied their ap- 
petites, for food just then was almost distasteful; but 
the cook ate heartily, and with apparent pleasure, 
until very little remained on the table. 

Then, leaning back against the bunk in a comfor- 
table position, he said slowly, as if not quite certain 
of being able to choose the proper words: 

“ I’ve got a plan which I am goin’ to tell you 
about; but it don’t follow that you’ve got to agree 
to it. It’s only what I’d do if I was runnin’ this 
’ere smack, which I ain’t, an’ perhaps it wouldn’t 
work. Then agin it might.” 

“ Go on with your plan, an’ don’t make so much 
talk about it,” Dick said irritably, whereupon 
Tommy, raising his knees until he could press them 
against the edge of the table, in order to render his 
position yet more comfortable, continued: 

“ As I was sayin’, if this ’ere smack was mine, an’ 
I’d started out in the business same’s you have, an’ 
Mr. Barnes turned up like he’s done. I’d buckle down 


1 66 THE CRUISE OF THE PHCEBE 


to writin’ a letter to Dick’s father, tellin’ him all the 
whole story. Then I’d pull up to town in the night, 
drop that letter in the post office when I was pretty 
sure nobody would see me, an’ if the sparker got here 
I wouldn’t go to the express office for it. Now sup- 
posin’ Mr. Marshall gets word of what Eliphalet 
Barnes is countin’ on makin’ us do? What’s goin’ 
to be his move? Why he’s goin’ right to that law- 
yer you fellers have hired, an’ that lawyer’s goin’ to 
the officers, an’ biff! Before you know it down 
comes two or three to tackle Mr. Eliphalet, and pip ! 
inter jail he goes ! Now it ain’t much of a plan — ” 

“ It’s a mighty good one,” Ezra cried excitedly, 
as he started to his feet. “ Neither Dick nor I 
could have thought out anythin’ which would have 
come so near promisin’ success, an’ yet it’s simple 
enough. Why we didn’t think of it, I can’t under- 
stand.” 

“ It’s just because you didn’t have the time, that’s 
all,” Master Downing replied, his face crimsoning 
with pleasure because of the praise bestowed. “ It 
would have come to you after a spell. You see, you 
fellers bought letter paper and envelopes just as if 
you was gettin’ ready for this thing.” 

“ But we haven’t any postage stamps, an’ how can 
we put a letter in the office at night when no one is 
around, without them? ” 

“ I’d thought of that part of it,” Tommy replied 
calmly, “ an’ had figgered out that it wouldn’t do for 
us to pull up to Eastport an’ buy any, ’cause if what 
' Eliphalet has said is true, why the folks there would 
let him know what we’d been about. Now here is 


THE CRUISE OF THE PHOEBE 167 

Quoddy Head light, an’ the keepers are bound to be 
honest men who wouldn’t smuggle, else they couldn’t 
keep on workin’ for the United States. Whenever 
folks get ’round where there’s a light-house they 
most always want to look at it. Now what’s to hin- 
der my loafin’ over there careless-like this afternoon, 
jest to pass the time away, an’ before I leave, buy a 
postage stamp? They’ll be sure to have some.” 

“Tommy, you are a jewel I” Ezra cried enthu- 
siastically, “ an’ your plan is first-class all the way 
through.” 

“ Except that if Eliphalet Barnes sees one of us 
goin’ over to the light-house he’ll suspect we’ve gone 
to give information, an’ we may find ourselves in a 
still worse hole,” Dick objected, whereupon Tommy, 
still calm and serene, replied: 

“ I thought of that too, though it wouldn’t be any 
more’n reasonable that a greenhorn like me would 
want to see the light-house; but I ain’t very smart if 
I can’t give Barnes the slip, unless some of the keep- 
ers are standin’ in with him, which ain’t reasonable 
to suppose. Any way, ’cordin’ to how I look at it, 
it’s mighty little risk we’re takin’, an’ if we can’t af- 
ford to run that much of a chance, we ought’er stay 
under that old pirate’s thumb as long as we live.” 

“ Go ahead. Tommy, an’ run this thing to suit 
yourself, for I believe you’re the only one of the 
three that’s got head enough to do it ! ” Ezra ex- 
claimed. “ Don’t stop for the work here ; we’ll wash 
the dishes, an’ I’ll set you ashore.” 

“ I don’t count on usin’ the dory at all,” Master 
Downing replied. “ You see nobody knows how 


1 68 THE CRUISE OF THE PHCEBE 


many are watchin’ along the shore, ’cause if Eliphalet 
Barnes has made up his mind to run this thing 
through, he’s goin’ to look after it mighty sharp. 
Now I kind’er allowed I’d roll up the clothes in my 
bunk like as if I’d turned in, in case anybody comes 
below, an’ you could hint, if you ain’t too squirmy 
’bout tellin’ a lie, that I was takin’ my trick below. 
Then it would be only a case of droppin’ over the rail, 
an’ swimmin’ ashore to where them rocks make out. 
A feller will have mighty sharp eyes that sees me 
sneakin’ up the bank, I’m tellin’ you.” 

“ But what will the folks at the light-house think 
if you come there drippin’ with water?” 

“ They won’t have a chance to think anything 
’bout it. On a hot day like this I’m allowin’ I’ll be 
pretty well dried out by the time I reach there. It 
must be two or three miles, an’ if I haven’t got into 
shape, it won’t be much of a job to hang ’round till 
I am.” 

“ I guess we’d better let him work this in his own 
way,” Ezra said laughingly, “ an’ not attempt to 
have any finger in the pie, because it looks very much 
as if we should do nothin’ more than spoil it.” 

“ You’ll have to come inter the plan far enough 
to give me a couple of cents for a postage stamp,” 
Tommy added, and Dick cried, as if at last he had 
found a weak spot in Master Downing’s plans : 

“ What will a stamp be good for by the time you 
swim out here again?” 

“ Yes, I kind’er turned that over in my mind, too, 
an’ figgered I’d get a piece of paper at the light- 
house, so’s to wrap it up, as I’d be apt to do any way. 


THE CRUISE OF THE PHCEBE 169 

Then I could hold it between my teeth when I come 
aboard; an’ I’m allowin’ there wouldn’t be very much 
damage done to it, else I’m a pretty poor sort of a 
duck in the water.” 

Ezra took the bag from the table, drew out half 
a dozen pennies, which Tommy put in his pocket, and 
without any fiJrther conversation the lad went on 
deck. 

Ezra followed as soon as he could replace the 
money in the drawer; but it was too late, if he counted 
on asking for further details, because the “ crew ” 
of the Phoebe had already started. 

Three or four yards away, and inshore, was a 
round, red object which a close observer would have 
detected as Master Downing’s head. 

Ezra looked around carefully to assure himself 
there was no one in sight who might have seen 
Tommy when he slipped over the rail, and then, tak- 
ing the precaution to go into the cuddy lest even his 
whisper should be overheard, he said to Dick: 

“ That’s a great lad, is Tommy Downing, an’ I’m 
beginnin’ to believe we’d have come to grief long 
before this if it hadn’t been for him.” 

“ It strikes me we have come to grief already, in 
fact began on that course before he’d been aboard 
very long.” 

“ But surely you can’t lay the blame at his door 
of our havin’ taken the Chinaman? ” 

“ I’m not layin’ the blame at any one’s door,” 
Dick replied irritably; “but it’s enough to drive a 
fellow crazy to realize how absolutely we seem to be 
in the power of that man Barnes! It’s more like 


170 THE CRUISE OF THE PHOEBE 

some improbable story than a fact, an’ if he had had 
us by the nose, we couldn’t have gone accordin’ to 
his ideas any more directly than we have.” 

“ I’ll say as Tommy did, that there’s no sense in 
gettin’ angry over the matter. Unless you can think 
of some plan better than he has proposed, let’s set 
about aidin’ him in every way.” 

“ What can we do ? Surely he doesn’t want us 
to get out an’ help him ashore? ” 

“ No, but he’ll require that our letters be writ- 
ten between now and sunset, in order that they may 
be carried to the post office in the night, an’ it is goin’ 
to be no slight job, as I look at the matter, to explain 
to your father how it happens we have made such 
bloomin’ idiots of ourselves for the second time. 
Yet it really seems to me as if the most suspicious per- 
son in the world would have fallen into the trap.” 

“ I reckon you’ll have to write the letter, for I 
can’t,” Dick said, recovering somewhat from his ill 
temper under the promptings of his partner. 

“ But I’m afraid it’s a bit beyond me, so suppose 
both of us try our fists at it, an’ then we can pick out 
the one which seems to explain the matter the clear- 
est. What’s more, Dick, we must get about it at 
once, for there is no knowin’ when we shall have a 
lot of lobster catchers around, an’ then anything of 
the kind will be impossible. I’ll stay at the top of 
the companion-way stairs where I can have a look 
around now and then so that Barnes shan’t catch us 
at the work, an’ we’ll start in right away.” 

Dick could not well afford to refuse this sugges- 
tion of his partner’s, and in a short time the two 


THE CRUISE OF THE PHCEBE 171 

lads were busily engaged trying to set down in words 
which would be clearly understood, the story of what 
had happened, and the danger they were in if Barnes, 
as seemed more than probable, carried out the threats 
he had made. 

Twice before this letter-writing had been finished 
were the partners forced to cease work in order to 
attend to those who had come to sell their catch, and 
although a full hour was thus much the same as 
wasted, or so it seemed to the anxious lads, they 
added to their cargo only forty-three lobsters. 

During this time nothing had been seen of Elipha- 
let Barnes ; but because he had made himself so thor- 
oughly conversant with their doings in Eastport as 
to be able to give a detailed account of their move- 
ments, it seemed likely that he, or some others belong- 
ing to his gang, had the Phoebe under close surveil- 
lance. 

They could well afford to spend two or three days 
in keeping watch over her, for it was an opportunity 
of carrying on their smuggling operations such as 
would seldom occur. Here was a smack that had 
not previously visited these waters; she was in com- 
mand of lads who much the same as represented the 
well-known firm of Marshall & Jordan of Westbay, 
and could move from point to point without arousing 
the suspicions of the customs officers, at least during 
this first voyage. 

It was near to sunset before the letters were fin- 
ished to the satisfaction of the writers, and up to this 
time there had been no sign of Master Downing. 
That he had reached the light-house according to his 


172 THE CRUISE OF THE PHCEBE 

own proposition, was virtually certain, as it also was 
that he would succeed in returning; but whether he 
might be able to come on board unobserved seemed 
to be quite another matter, and this doubt was suffi- 
cient to keep the boys in a state of mental agitation 
that was almost painful. 


CHAPTER IX 


AN OFFICIAL VISIT 

It was only natural that the young lobster buy- 
ers should exaggerate Eliphalet Barnes’ ability to do 
them harm. Unwittingly they had played into his 
hands at every turn, and since there could be no 
question but that they had brought away from 
Campebello island goods which should have paid a 
duty, both the lads believed, and with good reason, 
that it was well within his power to cause their ar- 
rest, the result of which would be imprisonment for 
a certain length of time. 

When Master Downing first explained his plan, 
Dick had little faith that any relief would come of 
it, so far as they were concerned ; but as the time wore 
on he began to understand that it not only had very 
many elements of success, but was, in fact, the only 
step which they could take toward breaking the ap- 
parent hold Barnes had upon them. 

Ezra, who was in favor of the plan from the time 
it was first made known, felt confident that it might 
be carried through without great difficulty, therefore, 
because it seemed to both the boys by this time that 
if Tommy could do as he proposed their troubles 
would be at an end, were their anxieties concerning 
Master Downing’s whereabouts all the greater. 

Dick, impatient and irritable because of such sus- 

173 


174 THE CRUISE OF THE PHCEBE 

pense, paced to and fro in the cuddy, looking out 
through the companion-way nearly every moment, 
without seeing any token of their employee, and giv- 
ing vent to words which under other circumstances 
would really have been childish, until Ezra, so anx- 
ious that it was as if he could not bear to hear his 
partner’s predictions of disaster, said with no little 
heat: 

“ Look here, Dick, whinin’ around in this fash- 
ion won’t mend matters. What’s the use of insistin’ 
that Tommy’ll run across Mr. Barnes; that he did 
not get ashore, or that the people at the light-house 
have picked him up for a smuggler? It’s nonsense, 
an’ doesn’t help out in any way. I know exactly 
how you are feelin’; but that isn’t any excuse for so 
much croakin’.” 

“ I’m not croakin’. I’m only tryin’ to show you 
how easy it would be for him to slip up on the job, 
an’ if he fails we’ll be forced to do exactly as that 
miserable pirate demands.” 

“ Well, he hasn’t failed yet, an’ there’s no more 
likelihood of Tommy’s cornin’ to grief if we hold 
our tongues, an’ believe he’ll succeed, than if we make 
ourselves misera^ble in this fashion. Even if he fails, 
I’d rather believe for a little while that things are 
goin’ right, than give up all hope at the start. 
Tommy’s showing himself twice as much of a man 
in this matter as either of us.” 

“ I don’t see how you make out that we are givin’ 
up hope if I speak of the chances for failure? ” Dick 
said sharply. 

“Well, but why speak of them? Isn’t it just as 


THE CRUISE OF THE PHCEBE 175 

well to wait until we find out that things have gone 
wrong? Tommy knows what he’s about, an’ isn’t 
goin’ to take any chances. He can’t suspect that 
we’re such babies as to get into a funk because he 
stays away a little longer than we expected, an’ there- 
fore is makin’ certain of pullin’ through without be- 
ing seen. Very likely he’s hangin’ ’round on shore 
until it shall be so dark that no one can see him when 
he swims out here.” 

At this instant the Phoebe heeled ever so slightly, 
as if a weight had suddenly been put upon the star- 
board rail, and when Dick, who was standing on the 
companion-way stairs, looked out through the hatch, 
an exclamation of joy and relief burst from his 
lips. 

Master Downing was dragging himself over the 
rail, very wet and uncomfortable looking outwardly; 
but with an expression of satisfaction on his face 
which told that matters were progressing much to 
his liking. 

“ Better get these postage stamps out so’s the wet 
won’t soak into ’em,” he said, taking a folded paper 
from between his teeth. “ I couldn’t help gettin’ a 
little water on the outside; but if you look after 
them sharp, they’ll be all right.” 

“ How is everything ashore?” Ezra asked, push- 
ing his way past Dick as if believing it might be 
necessary to lend Tommy a hand. 

“ I guess things are all right, leastways they look 
so. Eliphalet Barnes hasn’t been able to steal the 
light-house yet, an’ as nigh as I can make out, he 
didn’t see me.” 


176 THE CRUISE OF THE PHCEBE 

“ Did any one think it strange you came ashore 
for postage stamps ? ” 

“ I didn’t give ’em the chance to think anythin’ 
of that kind. What I wanted was to look at the 
light-house, as if I’d never seen such a thing, an’ 
then it was only a case of makin’ out, as if it was 
somethin’ what didn’t amount to much, that two or 
three stamps would come handy.” 

“ Didn’t they want to know how you happened to 
be there? ” Dick asked, as if ready to find in the an- 
swer some token of disaster. 

“ Course they did, an’ I told ’em. They’d seen 
us towin’ the Phoebe in, an’ asked all about the 
break-down.” 

“ You ought not have let them know you came 
from the smack,” Dick said almost fretfully. 

“Why not? They knew I didn’t fly there, an’ if 
I’d gone to work tryin’ to cook up any kind of a story 
there was a chance, of gettin’ into trouble. It 
strikes me the best way was to keep as nigh to the 
truth as possible. Got your letter written ? ” 

“ Yes, Dick an’ I both wrote one, so’s to make 
sure of tellin’ the story correctly, an’ in a way his 
father could understand exactly how we’re fixed,” 
Ezra said cheerily. “ You’re done your share of 
the work. Tommy, an’ now I’ll go up to town an’ 
mail them.” 

“ You won’t do any such bloomin’ thing,” Master 
Downing replied decidedly. “You’ve shown your- 
selves in Eastport before, an’ it seems that folks 
there knew you come from the Phoebe. I ain’t al- 
lowin’ anybody’s goin’ to see me when the letter is 


THE CRUISE OF THE PHGEBE 


177 


mailed, an’ it’s just as well we don’t take any more 
chances than’s necessary. Two stamps is enough on 
the letter, so there won’t be any question about its 
goin’, an’ I’ll get away.” 

“ You can’t go until after you have had some- 
thing to eat,” Dick interrupted, and Master Down- 
ing asked in a tone of profound amazement: 

“What’s the reason I can’t? You jest stand 
there an’ watch me. Say, Ezra, get the letter, will 
you? What’s the use of foolin’ ’round? It’s so 
dark now no one is likely to see when I put off from 
the smack, unless Eliphalet Barnes has got watchers 
out close around.” 

“ But surely you are goin’ to change your clothes. 
Tommy?” Ezra asked as he turned to obey. 

“ But surely I ain’t. After I’ve been pullin’ that 
dory for an hour or so, I reckon I’ll be dry enough, 
an’ supper’ll taste all the better if I wait a spell for 
it.” 

It was useless for either of the partners to argue 
with their employee. The plan was his, and he had 
evidently decided in his mind how it should be car- 
ded out. He believed he could succeed in mailing 
the letter more secretly than either of the others, 
and it was useless for them to make any attempt at 
changing his opinion. 

Instead of waiting to discuss the matter, he seized 
the letter immediately Ezra brought it from the 
cuddy; wrapped it in an oil-skin which was hanging in 
the companion-way close at hand, and went over the 
rail into the dory, saying as he did so : 

“ You fellers better hang out a ridin’-light, I’m 


178 THE CRUISE OF THE PHGEBE 

thinkin’, for it’s needed while we’re layin’ here at 
anchor where any craft is likely to put in, an’ be- 
sides, it’ll show me the way when I come back.” 

Then he shoved the dory off from the Phoebe, 
shipped the oars without noise, and pulled away into 
the gloom silently. 

Dick and Ezra remained on deck, after Tommy 
was lost to view in the darkness, fully half an hour, 
straining their eyes in the effort to learn whether 
others might be in the vicinity, and then Master 
Upton said, speaking for the first time since their 
employee had left the smack. 

“Unless Eliphalet Barnes has some way of hidin’ 
himself other than seems probable. Tommy has got 
off without being seen, an’ now instead of stayin’ 
here eatin’ our hearts out for fear this last part of 
his plan will go wrong, let’s busy ourselves by gettin’ 
up a regular feast. He’ll be hungry by the time he 
gets back, an’ we should try to make things as com- 
fortable for him as possible, for he’s done a power 
of work since noon.” 

Dick was not overly eager to act upon this sugges- 
tion, but he did not refuse, and the two lads spent all 
the time that could well be occupied in making ready 
this dinner which was not likely to be eaten by the lad 
for whom it was intended, until well toward mid- 
night. 

Thanks to such occupation the time seemed to 
pass much more rapidly than if they had remained in 
the cuddy listening for sounds betokening the com- 
ing of their enemy, Mr. Barnes, and doing nothing 
save giving themselves up to dismal forebodings. 


THE CRUISE OF THE PHCEBE 179 

Master Downing spent four hours in the task of 
mailing the letter, and when he came on board was 
quite ready to partake of the meal which had been 
awaiting him a long while. 

As a matter of course Ezra and Dick went on 
deck to greet him immediately the dory gave token, 
by rubbing her nose alongside the Phoebe, that the 
journey had been performed, and both lads ques- 
tioned him eagerly concerning the result of his jour- 
ney. 

“ IPs all right,” he said in a low tone as he made 
the boat fast astern ; “ but we won’t talk about it on 
deck here, for I’ve the idee that there’s some kind 
of a craft not very far away, from what I heard jest 
before makin’ out your light.” 

The possibility that Mr. Barnes might be keeping 
close watch over them during the night, and was 
already aware that one of the crew had visited the 
town, reduced the partners to silence, and so cau- 
tious was Master Downing that not until they were 
in the cabin and the hatch drawn over the compan- 
ion-way, did ne begin the story for which his em- 
ployers were eagerly waiting. 

“ There’s nothin’ to be told exceptin’ that I rowed 
up there an’ back, so you fellers might as well get 
the grub on the table, if we’re goin’ to have it, ’cause 
I can do my talkin’ jest as well while I’m eatin’,” 
and he added as Ezra acted upon this suggestion, 
“ I didn’t hear or see anythin’ more’n might have 
been expected on the trip up.” 

“And then you run into Barnes?” Dick inter- 
rupted, whereat Tommy replied with a smile: 


i8o THE CRUISE OF THE PHCEBE 


‘‘ An’ then I didn’t run into anybody. There 
wasn’t a soul in the street when I went up from the 
dock to the post office, an’ you can guess I didn’t 
spend a great deal of time droppin’ the letter into 
the box. I reckon the people in Eastport go to bed 
right early, for the only thing that appeared to be 
awake was a dog, an’ he come mighty near takin’ 
a piece out of my leg — would, too, if I hadn’t 
happened to find a club when it was most needed. 
Cornin’ back was about the same as goin’ up, till I 
got off nearabout where we landed those packages 
which Eliphalet Barnes says were filled with brandy, 
an’ then it seemed to me I could make out somebody 
movin’ ’round on shore. Of course I ain’t certain 
’bout that, ’cause it’s pretty dark to-night, an’ per- 
haps I only imagined it, bein’ suspicious like on ac- 
count of the trouble we’ve already had. Anyhow, 
it’s dead certain I heard oars in the water a short 
bit from there, an’ twice the sound of voices came 
as if people were talkin’ mighty careful not a great 
distance away.” 

“Did you try to find out who it was?” Dick 
asked, impatient for the short story to be ended. 

“ I wasn’t such a fool as that. I didn’t start out 
to look for Eliphalet Barnes; but to steer clear of 
him, an’ it goes without sayin’ that I wasn’t makin’ 
overly much noise when I slipped past where I 
thought the boat might be. That’s all there is to the 
story, an’ yet I’ve got the idee that if it was light 
we’d find Eliphalet Barnes hustlin’ close around 
here.” 

“Why should he keep watch on us?” Ezra 


THE CRUISE OF THE PHCEBE i8i 


asked in perplexity. “ He knows we can’t get away, 
unless by abandonin’ the smack.” 

“ I am not allowin’ he is keepin’ watch on us,” 
Tommy replied thoughtfully. “ ’Cordin’ to the 
way I figger it out, that old heathen is bringin’ stuff 
from Campebello, seein’s how it’s dark to-night, an’ 
perhaps he’s makin’ up the cargo he allows we’ll 
carry for him. I’m only guessin’ at that part of it, 
though, an’ guessin’ don’t amount to anythin’, ’cause 
it’s oftenest apt to be wrong than right.” 

Then Master Downing gave his undivided at- 
tention to the bountiful meal before him, and Dick, 
although getting his full share of the food, remained 
silent, as if matters were going very much to his dis- 
like. Ezra, however, was in the cheeriest of spirits, 
believing that with the posting of the letter the first 
and greatest step had been taken toward relieving 
them of their troubles. 

“ Now it’s a case of layin’ right here, without 
goin’ to the express office to look for that sparker, 
’cause so long as we can’t turn the screw Eliphalet 
Barnes may storm an’ threaten as much as he likes. 
We should hear from Dick’s father within twenty- 
four hours after the fittin’s come by express, so it 
won’t be such a terrible long while.” 

Tommy made no reply to this assertion, and since 
Dick continued to maintain what was very like a 
sulky silence, the conversation naturally dropped. 

That night the boys slept as soundly as if they had 
never made the acquaintance of Eliphalet Barnes, 
and on the following piorning were awakened by a 
hail from the outside. 


1 82 THE CRUISE OF THE PHGEBE 


“ There’s Barnes ! ” Dick cried angrily as he 
sprang from the bunk; but the expression of mingled 
anger and fear faded from his face very quickly, 
when he looked out from the companion-way and 
saw a fisherman who had come to sell his catch of 
lobsters. 

The day passed uneventfully, except now and then 
when a fisherman came alongside, and when another 
night closed in eighty-two lobsters had been added to 
the number already in the well. 

It was by no means a profitable day’s work; but 
the young traders believed themselves to have been 
very fortunate inasmuch as nothing had been seen 
or heard from the enemy. 

Tommy proposed that on the following morning 
he go alongshore in the dory with the hope of add- 
ing to the cargo, but neither Dick nor Ezra would 
listen to the proposition. 

“ We’ll buy what’s brought to us, an’ be glad of 
the chance,” the junior member of the firm said very 
decidedly, when Tommy claimed that it was no more 
than “ business ” to take the utmost advantage of 
the situation. “ I’ll be satisfied if we don’t get an- 
other lobster this cruise, providin’ father fixed it in 
some way so that we may give Barnes the slip, but 
how it can be done is more than I know.” 

“ Now look here, Dick,” Ezra said cheerily. 
“ It isn’t likely that a man so well known for a 
smuggler as Barnes is, can carry things with such a 
high hand. Of course it looks as if he had us in a 
tight place; but early to-morrow morning your 
father’ll know just what he threatens to do, an’ it’ll 


THE CRUISE OF THE PHCEBE 183 

be strange if he an’ all the lawyers in Portland can’t 
help us out of the scrape. If we are to be put in 
jail because of luggin’ that stuff across for the fisher- 
man, then we’ll go there like men, an’ not try to get 
out of it by runnin’ our noses deeper in the mire. 
I don’t think it’s a good scheme for Tommy to go 
out after lobsters, because the three of us ought to 
stay by the smack in case somethin’ may be done 
soon to help us out.” 

Before Dick had time to make reply a slight heel- 
ing of the Phoebe to port told that someone had 
come aboard softly, and in a few seconds Mr. 
Barnes entered the cuddy, as if believing himself to 
be a welcome visitor. 

“Well, lads, how are you gettin’ along? I 
thought I’d look in on you to know if you’d got that 
’ere sparker you was talkin’ ’bout. But didn’t come 
in the daytime because it’s just as well on your ac- 
count that I shouldn’t be seen ’round here.” 

“ We haven’t got the sparker,” Ezra said sharply. 

“ Strikes me it ought’er been here this afternoon,” 
Mr. Barnes added affably, and Dick was evidently 
on the point of making an angry reply when Ezra, 
believing it would be unwise to excite the smuggler’s 
wrath unnecessarily, broke in quickly: 

“ There’s little chance it would be sent until the 
day after our telegram got there, an’ perhaps forty- 
eight hours might go by, owin’ to some delay in 
the express office, or on account of there not bein’ 
just the right size of fittin’ in stock. It’s a long 
pull from here to the town, an’ we’re not countin’ 
on goin’ twice.” 


1 84 THE CRUISE OF THE PHCEBE 

“ I allow, though, that you’ll try for it to-morrow 
afternoon? ” 

“ The next day will be as soon as we have any 
good reason to expect it.” 

“ It seems to me you’re takin’ this thing mighty 
quietly,” Mr. Barnes said suspiciously. “ If I was 
nmnin’ a smack of this size, an’ counted on makin’ 
anythin’ in the lobster business, I wouldn’t be layin’ 
here at anchor.” 

“ We’re taking things quietly because we can’t 
help ourselves,” Ezra replied, forcing himself to 
speak in something like a friendly tone. “ It isn’t 
costin’ us a great deal to lay at anchor, an’ we’d 
rather stay here one day longer than pull up to town 
and back twice.” 

Mr. Barnes looked at the lad sharply, as if ques- 
tioning whether there was not some reason for this 
apparent content, and then, turning, he went on 
deck, stopping there to look down into the cuddy 
as he said in what might well have been taken for 
a threatening tone: 

“ I am advisin’ that you go to-morrow to the ex- 
press office, for it’s certain you’ll then get what 
you’re waitin’ for.” 

“ I reckon we’d better not take the chances,” Ezra 
replied cheerily. “ We’re gettin’ in quite a few lob- 
sters as it is, an’ it’s a long pull up there an’ back.” 

“ I’m advisin’ you to go,” Mr. Barnes repeated, 
and without waiting for a reply he went over the 
rail into his dory, Ezra coming out on deck to make 
certain he had really taken his departure. 

The boys speculated long and anxiously on this 


THE CRUISE OF THE PHGEBE 185 

night, as to the meaning of the smuggler’s words. 
All of them were inclined to believe that what he 
called advice, was in reality a command, and unless 
they followed it he might take some steps toward 
enforcing obedience; but how this could be done 
they failed to decide. 

Tommy laughed at the idea of Barnes’ attempting 
to force them to visit the express office, declaring 
that, bold though the smuggler was In the matter 
of braving the customs officers, he would not dare 
do more than threaten. 

“ How’s he goin’ to make us go there? ” Master 
Downing asked with a laugh. “ I notice he keeps 
himself pretty clear of Eastport, an’ if he should 
try any such game as draggin’ us up to the express 
office, why of course he’d get himself into a pile 
of trouble, ’cause all the people that live there ain’t 
hand an’ glove with him. I wish he’d try it, for 
then we’d be out of the snarl without waitin’ for 
Dick’s father.” 

Because of having been comparatively idle during 
the day, the boys did not sleep very soundly on this 
night, and were astir at daybreak, expecting each 
hour to receive another visit from Barnes; but de- 
termined not to be bullied into doing as he proposed. 

Four fishermen came alongside before nightfall; 
but brought only forty-one lobsters In all, and at 
sunset, when it seemed positive they could not add 
any more to their cargo until another day had come, 
Ezra said as he made certain his cash balance was 
correct : 

“ As I figure it we’ve nine hundred an’ seventy- 


1 86 THE CRUISE OF THE PHGEBE 


four lobsters in the well, an’ as compared with the 
first cruise, business isn’t very brisk; but when you 
come to realize that we are disabled, an’ much the 
same as in the clutches of Eliphalet Barnes, it isn’t 
such a bad showin’.” 

“ An’ the best of it is that we didn’t go up to 
the express office, ’cordin’ to orders,” Tommy added 
with a chuckle of satisfaction which had not yet 
died away when an unfamiliar voice was heard from 
the outside. 

“ Here’s a bundle I got for you fellers up to the 
express office. I kind’er allowed you might be in a 
hurry for it, an’ seein’s I was cornin’ this way, fetched 
it along.” 

The boys were on deck in a twinkling, gazing in 
something very like dismay at the stranger who was 
alongside in a dory, holding up a small package. 

“ Who told you to bring that here? ” Ezra asked 
angrily. 

“ I was just tellin’ you ’bout it. The agent he 
allowed you’d be needin’ it, an’ I was cornin’ right 
past your smack.” 

“ Where do you live? ” 

“ Over on Campebello.” 

“ Do you often row up to Eastport? ” 

“ Well, sometimes I do an’ sometimes I don’t, jest 
’cordin’ as it happens,” the man replied with a laugh 
as he tossed the package on board. “ To-day it 
kind’er happened that way, you see. I did have 
a sneakin’ idee you’d say ‘ thank you ’ for the favor; 
but you don’t look as if it pleased you overly much.” 

Then the fellow pulled away as if he had no 


THE CRUISE OF THE PHCEBE 187 

further concern in the matter, leaving the boys gaz- 
ing at each other blankly. 

Mr. Barnes had found a means of enforcing his 
commands, although not to the extent of obliging 
the boys to take the violent exercise which would 
have been necessary had they paid a personal visit 
to the express office. 

“ Now what shall we do? ” Dick asked helplessly. 
“ That old pirate will be here to-morrow mornin’, 
an’ force us to put the sparker in place. It’s likely 
also that he’ll be prepared to make us do whatever 
he says, an’ how are we goin’ to get out of puttin’ 
the Phoebe in trim? ” 

“ I’ll get out of it if I have to disable the engine 
past all repair,” Ezra cried emphatically. ‘‘ We 
won’t have any row with him, if it can be helped, 
for he’d likely get the best of us, seein’s he goes 
armed. If the worst comes I’ll guarantee to knock 
the motor so far out of tune that it can’t be put 
in shape again this season, an’ that would be better 
than doin’ as he demands.” 

“ Now you’re talkin’ I ” Master Downing said ap- 
provingly. “ He’s got it into his head that we don’t 
dare raise a finger, an’ counts on havin’ us leave this 
place to-morow mornin’. If you stand by what you 
say, we’ll give him the surprise of his life, even 
though we do get the worst of it afterward.” 

Dick did not take part in the discussion which en- 
sued. The fact that Mr. Barnes seemingly had 
plenty of associates in the neighborhood who would 
help him carry out his plans, served to daze the lad, 
and for the time he no longer had any hope of be- 


1 88 THE CRUISE OF THE PHOEBE 


ing able to do other than had been commanded. 

Before they were through speculating upon the 
matter Tommy had suggested that the sparker be 
dropped overboard, and even though Mr. Barnes 
might not believe it an accident, if it was really thus 
disposed of he would be powerless, so far as mov- 
ing the Phoebe was concerned. 

Ezra was not willing to do this since it would 
disable the smack until a second sparker could be 
procured from Portland; but he pledged himself to 
work such injury to the motor, if it became ab- 
solutely necessary, as would prevent the smuggler 
from carrying out what was evidently his inten- 
tions. 

“ I can spend a good deal of time tryin’ to put 
It In, an’ unless Barnes is a machinist he won’t know 
what I’m about; anyhow we’ll hold as was agreed 
upon, an’ see what comes of It.” 

As a matter of course this did not end the dis- 
cussion. The boys were In no need for sleep ; but re- 
mained In the cuddy, now talking excitedly, and 
again forcing themselves to believe that the smug- 
gler would not dare proceed to extremities, until 
the sudden heeling of the Phoebe told that a visitor 
had come on board. 

“ Here’s Barnes, an’ now we’re bound to have It 
out with him I ” Ezra said In a whisper as he started 
toward the companion-way. “ Don’t arouse him if 
you can help It, an’ If worst comes to worst I’ll do 
as I’ve agreed.” 

At that moment the companion-hatch was pushed 
back, and, much to their surprise, the lads saw, by 


THE CRUISE OF THE PHOEBE 189 

the rays of the swinging-lamp, an unfamiliar face 
looking down upon them. 

“Who are you?” Ezra asked sharply, and with 
no little alarm. 

“ I’ll tell you after I’m below,” the stranger said 
in a whisper, and without waiting for an invitation 
he entered the cuddy. 

The boys gazed at him curiously, for he did not 
appear to be the kind of a man who would follow 
Eliphalet Barnes’ lead, and yet why else was he 
come? 

The visitor very soon allayed their fears by say- 
ing in a questioning tone: 

“ You wrote to Mr. Marshall of Westbay night 
before last, and he received the letter in time for me 
to catch the late train. I have had no little trouble 
in finding you, because of not daring to inquire con- 
cerning your whereabouts.” 

“Are you a lawyer?” Dick asked. 

“ I am a customs officer who has been looking- 
for Eliphalet Barnes since he went to work again.” 

“ Then father sent you ? ” Dick cried in a tone 
of relief. 

“Yes; it was something like that. He or his 
attorney notified me of what had been learned, and 
I set off at once. So Barnes is counting on your 
smuggling a cargo of stuff for him, eh? Tell me 
the whole story; but first we’ll make things fast here 
so that no one can get in on us without due warn- 
Ing.” 

The officer himself saw to it that the hatch and 
doors of the companion-way were securely locked. 


190 THE CRUISE OF THE PHCEBE 

and then settled himself on one of the lockers to 
hear the story which was told by Ezra, and added 
to from time to time by Dick and Tommy as it 
seemed to them necessary for the better understand- 
ing of the situation. 

“ He wanted to get the sparker as soon as it ar- 
rived, because of having a pretty good idea that we 
were close after him,” the officer said when the ex- 
planations were at an end. “ It is well that I lost 
no time in getting here, for the old fox evidently 
counts on making a move by to-morrow, and unless 
I am much mistaken we’ll forestall him. Now it is 
only a matter of waiting until he comes, and then 
I’ll attend to the rest of it. Which bunk can I 
use? ” 

“ Take any of ’em,” Ezra said cheerily, all his 
forebodings gone now that an officer of the law was 
present who would be able to give evidence in their 
behalf in case Barnes attempted to use violence. He 
no longer had any fears as to the future; but Dick 
did not feel as confident that it would be impossible 
for their enemy to work them harm, and he asked 
of the visitor, who had given the name of Harlan 
Carter : 

“ Suppose Barnes or some of his friends should 
make a charge against us of having smuggled what 
he says was brandy? Would we be arrested? ” 

“ Don’t let anything like that worry you, lad. 
In the first place it is my opinion they would not 
dare try anything of the kind; but have only held 
it out as a threat. If they should, however, it 
strikes me that the matter would be settled without 


THE CRUISE OF THE PHCEBE 191 

any trouble to you, for it is evident, because of your 
having given the earliest information regarding the 
Chinaman, that you are not in league with such as 
Barnes and his gang.” 

“ And you will stay by here to help us, will you, 
sir? ” 

“ I shan’t stay a great while if Barnes comes back 
as I am counting on, for he and I will take an early 
train for Portland.” 

“Then you are going to arrest him?” 

“ That is what I came for, and it seems to me as 
if the scoundrel had laid a trap for himself. Now 
I am going to turn in and keep out of sight when 
day breaks. Pay no attention to me whatsoever. 
Set about fixing up your engine as soon as it is light 
enough to work, and we’ll hope that our man pays 
us an early visit.” 


CHAPTER X 


SURPRISING MR. BARNES 

Mr. Harlan Carter had been detailed to look after 
Eliphalet Barnes, and, if possible, to break up the 
smuggling operations which had been carried on with 
comparative success for so long a time that those 
concerned in thus breaking the laws of their country 
had come to believe they were more than a match 
for the customs officers. 

Now, thanks to the misfortunes of the Phoebe’s 
crew, it seemed as if Mr. Barnes himself had set a 
trap from which it would be impossible to escape, 
and Mr. Harlan Carter was feeling wondrously well 
content with the situation into which the boys had 
blundered. He firmly believed that within a few 
hours at the latest the most daring smuggler on the 
Maine coast would be in his custody on a charge 
which could be clearly proven before a judge and 
jury. 

Heretofore Barnes and the members of his gang 
had contrived to slip off scott free from the more 
serious charges that had been brought against them. 
The fact that Eliphalet went to jail for a brief 
period, was owing to the fact that the transaction in 
which he had been detected was so trifling as to 
make him careless, believing it was of such little 
192 


THE CRUISE OF THE PHOEBE 193 

importance that the officers would not give any heed 
to it. 

Quite by accident he had been overhauled while 
bringing a small quantity of liquor across the line, 
and cheerfully did he serve the sentence of six 
months in the county jail, knowing that if he had 
received his just deserts he would have been forced 
to spend several years at hard labor for the benefit 
of the country he had defrauded. That he came 
out of confinement without money, as when the 
young lobster buyers ran across him, was, so Mr. 
Carter believed, owing to his unwillingness to show 
that he had amassed any wealth in his unlawful call- 
ing; but those who knew him best felt confident he 
was possessed of a considerable property. 

However that might be, it seemed positive, at 
least to the government inspector, that the smuggler’s 
race was well nigh run, owing to his effort to use 
the boys in a scheme to carry across the border a 
larger cargo than, so far as was known, he had yet 
conveyed. 

Mr. Carter had betaken himself to one of the 
bunks, counting on sleeping the sleep of a man who has 
much the same as succeeded in the purpose which 
had been long on his mind; but the crew of the 
Phoebe, even though their anxieties were at an end, 
had become so excited over the prospect of cutting 
short the unlawful career of one who, a few hours 
before, had seemingly held them in his power, that 
they could not have closed their eyes in rest, how- 
ever long they had been deprived of repose. 

Master Downing was particularly jubilant, and 


194 the cruise of THE PHCEBE 

surely it seemed as if he had good right to be. 
During all the time he lived with Abel Saunders, 
Tommy had heard more or less concerning Eliphalet 
Barnes and his ability to deceive and lead astray the 
officers of the law who had been on his track, until 
it really appeared as if the smuggler could do much 
as he pleased. 

“ He’s goin’ to be brought up with a sharp turn 
now,” Tommy said in a gleeful whisper as the crew 
of the Phoebe sat on deck near the companion-way, 
lest their conversation should disturb the sleeping 
officer, ‘‘ an’ the folks ’round here will get a mighty 
good hint that smugglin’ ain’t the profitable kind of 
business it looks. I reckon he’ll be surprised when 
he comes to bully us in the mornin’, at findin’ him- 
self caught in a trap that he won’t get out of so easy 
as before, when the detectives have pretty nigh had 
their hands on him.” 

And Dick, who was ever on the lookout for trouble 
In the future, relapsed once more Into a gloomy 
mood as he said In a tone of discontent: 

“ No matter how soon Mr. Carter gets hold of 
him. It’s pretty certain* he’s broken up our busi- 
ness.” 

“ How do you make that out? ” Tommy asked in 
surprise. 

“ Because of his havin’ been taken while aboard 
this smack, an’ seein’s how he made us help him out 
in smugglin’, we’ll be called on as witnesses. No- 
body knows how long the trial will last, an’ of 
course we’ve got to lay in port all that time. 
’Squire Merrill won’t be willin’ to have the Phoebe 


THE CRUISE OF THE PHCEBE 195 

idle, so he’ll let her to anybody who’ll make her 
earn a little money.” 

“ Now look here, Dick,” and Ezra spoke earnestly 
and at the same time almost sharply. “ You are al- 
ways lookin’ for trouble, even when we’ve got as 
much on hand as is needed. It’s nothin’ less than 
actually wicked to grumble now at the very moment 
when we are the same as out of the snarl. Why 
can’t you be satisfied with havin’ got clear of the 
nasty mess, an’ try to find satisfaction in this turnin’ 
of the tables on Eliphalet Barnes, instead of reckon- 
in’ up what may possibly never come to pass ? ” 

But you know as well as I that we’ll have to ap- 
pear against him as witnesses,” Dick persisted. 

“Well, supposin’ we do? The trial may not 
come off until our season is finished, or it may last 
only two or three days. Any way it turns, I’m 
thinkin’ it’s our business to be mighty cheerful just 
now.” 

“ I’ve always heard father say that a man must 
look ahead, if he counts on succeedin’ in this world.” 

“ Your father didn’t mean that success depended 
on borrowin’ trouble when there was no real need 
of it,” and now Ezra’s tone was one of irritation. 
“We made a handsome profit on the first cruise; 
have got near to a thousand lobsters already in the 
well, an’ should be able to take on as many more 
as we can carry, while runnin’ from here to Port- 
land, which will give us at least three hundred dol- 
lars to our credit. Except for the expense of tele- 
graphin’, an’ what is to be paid for the new sparker, 
it hasn’t cost anythin’ extra to lay here at anchor 


196 THE CRUISE OF THE PHCEBE 

disabled, because of our not havin’ used gasoline — 
what we’ve eaten out of the stores I don’t allow 
amounts to very much, since a good portion of the 
food has been lobsters that weren’t worth anythin’ 
in the market. Now I call that a good showin’ for 
a couple of fellows who started in business less than 
ten days ago.” 

“ But we owe father five hundred dollars,” Dick 
replied growing yet more gloomy. 

“ Now see how you are exaggeratin’ ! ” and there 
could be no question by this time but that Ezra had 
very nearly lost his patience. “ The first two hun- 
dred an’ fifty dollars which he lent us has come back 
to him from the cargo we shipped at Westbay, an’ 
the second two-fifty he’ll get out of what we buy 
this trip, or, if we don’t succeed in gettin’ any more, 
we shall have the money on hand. As I look at it, 
we know exactly where he’ll get the money that has 
been advanced, an’ we shall have on hand capital 
enough to do business for ourselves without bor- 
rowin’.” 

“ If that don’t satisfy you, I don’t know what 
you’re wantin’,” Master Downing interrupted. 
“Talk about trouble! Why I’d like to have the 
same kind, if I could make as much out of it as 
you fellers have.” 

Dick absolutely refused to view the situation other 
than dismally, and tiring of trying to make him re- 
alize that which could be seen so plainly, Ezra 
gave over the effort, saying as he turned to go into 
the cuddy: 

“ We’4 better turn In for the rest of the night, 


THE CRUISE OF THE PHCEBE 


197 

even though we can’t go to sleep, than to sit out 
here strugglin’ to find trouble for ourselves.” 

“ What with gettin’ clear of Eliphalet Barnes so 
slick, with a show of seein’ him brought up by a 
short turn, I’m feelin’ too good to leave, ’cause I 
don’t want to miss any part of what’s goin’ to hap- 
pen,” Tommy said decidedly. “ You fellers go be- 
low, an’ I’ll stay here on watch.” 

“ But there’s no need of it,” Dick grumbled, and 
Master Downing replied cheerily: 

“ I know that ; but I’ll hold on here for the fun 
that’s cornin’, so don’t pay any attention to me.” 

Ezra went into the cabin, followed by Dick, both 
the boys moving softly lest they should disturb the 
slumbers of the man who had taken such a burden of 
trouble from their shoulders, and Tomrny remained 
on deck eagerly expectant, determined to have his 
full share of the “ fun.” 

Although it had not seemed possible to Ezra that 
he could lose himself in the unconsciousness of slum- 
ber while in such an excited frame of mind, within 
a very short time he was sleeping soundly, know- 
ing nothing of what* might be passing around him 
until aroused by Master Downing, who shouted as 
if in reply to a hail: 

“ Yes, we’re all here, same’s usual. We got the 
sparker your friend brought down; but Ezra hasn’t 
put it in the motor yet, ’cause it didn’t come till 
after dark last night.” 

Barnes is here ! ” Ezra whispered hoarsely as 
he literally leaped across the cuddy to arouse Mr. 
Carter, and the latter replied calmly : 


198 THE CRUISE OF THE PHOEBE 

“ Yes, so I understand. Don’t pay any attention 
to me; but keep right along about your work as if 
everything remained the same as it was last night, 
and when the time comes I’ll play my part.” 

As a matter of course, Dick had been awakened 
by Tommy’s words, and both the young merchants 
hurried on deck. Day had not yet fully dawned; 
the gray light, token of the coming sun, was suffi- 
cient, however, to reveal objects within a short dis- 
tance, and the lads saw, perhaps an hundred feet 
away, Mr. Barnes alone in a dory, resting on his 
oars as if not yet ready to pay them a visit. 

“What’s the matter?” Ezra asked. 

“ How long before you’ll be in shape to turn the 
screw?” the smuggler shouted. 

“I don’t know; we can’t work over the motor 
till it’s light enough in the cuddy to see what we’re 
about, an’ even then the sparker may not fit — we 
haven’t looked at it yet.” 

“ Well, see here, young man, you’ll get that 
smack inter condition for movin’ mighty quick, or 
there’ll be the biggest kind of a row you ever had a 
share in! Don’t think you can hang ’round here 
on the chances that somebody will come to interfere 
with my plans, for the cargo’s goin’ aboard. You’ll 
be sailin’ out of the harbor inside of an hour, or 
find yourselves in jail on the charge of smugglin’.” 

“ I reckon it’ll have to be jail then, for there ain’t 
much show of gettin’ things into shape aboard here 
within an hour,” Ezra replied In a tone so free 
from care that Mr. Barnes pulled a trifle nearer the 
Phoebe, as If to look more closely at the lad. 


THE CRUISE OF THE PHCEBE 


199 


“ Don’t think you can fool me with your talk 
about the time it may take to put in a new sparker, 
for I’ve run a power boat before to-day. It’s a 
case of my cornin’ back in less’n an hour, an’ if you 
ain’t ready to start I’ll know the reason why.” 

Having said this Mr. Barnes pulled straight up 
the shore, heading, as the boys believed, toward that 
point where they had landed the goods taken from 
the fishing vessel, and Dick would have hurried into 
the cabin to report to Mr. Carter, but that Ezra 
stopped him as he whispered in his ear: 

“ Stay where you are, or Barnes will suspect some- 
thin’. I had no business to answer him as I did at 
the start, for it was easy to see by his cornin’ nearer 
to look at us, that he began to fancy somethin’ had 
been changed in the situation.” 

“ I’m allowin’ we’d better get breakfast,” Tommy 
said in a loud tone, and without waiting for a reply 
went below where he was soon engaged in the duties 
of cook, at the same time obeying Mr. Carter’s in- 
structions to the letter by giving no heed whatso- 
ever to that gentleman. 

The boys busied themselves with this thing or 
that, exactly as they would have done had the con- 
ditions remained unchanged from the previous day, 
and in less than half an hour from the time of his 
first appearance, Dick passed the word below that 
Mr. Barnes, in company with two other men, was 
pulling down the shore in the direction of the Phoebe. 

Now even Master Downing was disposed to bor- 
row trouble. When Mr. Carter had laid his plans, 
it was with the belief that Eliphalet Barnes would 


200 THE CRUISE OF THE PHCEBE 


come on board alone; but since he had two others 
with him the question in Tommy’s mind was as to 
whether the officer would be able to overpower the 
three, and he asked in a whisper, as he approached 
the bunk in which Mr. Carter lay motionless as if 
asleep : 

“ Is there anythin’ you want us fellers to do in 
case of a general mix-up ? ” 

“ Simply keep out of the way, unless I have to call 
on you,” was the reply. 

Then Tommy began singing his favorite ditty 
as he turned once more to the task of frying bacon, 
until a sharp blow on the side of the Phoebe told 
that the smuggler and his friends had arrived. 

“Got that sparker in place yet?” Mr. Barnes 
asked threateningly, as he leaped aboard the smack 
followed by the others. 

“ It isn’t light enough in the cuddy to see what 
you’re about,” Ezra replied. “ I ain’t machinist 
enough to do that kind of work in the dark.” 

“ Well, I am ! ” Barnes cried in a threatening tone. 
“Where’s the sparker?” 

“ Below on the locker.” 

The two men kept close at their leader’s heels as 
he descended the companion-way stairs with the 
hurry and bustle of an angry man, while Ezra and 
Dick stood helplessly by outside, not knowing what 
ought to be done, yet eager to render assistance if it 
should be required. 

From where they were it was possible to see all 
the interior of the cuddy save that portion where 
the officer lay in the bunk; but although thus aware 


THE CRUISE OF THE PHCEBE 201 


of what the enemy were about, and with a very 
good idea of Mr. Carter’s intentions, they were un- 
prepared for that which followed. 

Tommy handed to Mr. Barnes, as that gentleman 
came below, the sparker exactly as it had been re- 
ceived the night before, with the wrappings yet un- 
broken, and, tearing open the paper, the smuggler 
went toward the motor, having no little difficulty in 
seeing clearly what he was about owing to the faint 
light. 

The three men were bending over the machinery, 
when the lads standing at the head of the companion- 
way saw Mr. Carter spring out of the bunk with a 
revolver ready for use, shouting as he did so: 

“ Hold up your hands, you three I Move 
quickly, or I’ll fire ! ” 

“ I thought these young whelps were feelin’ a bit 
more cocky than was natural,” Mr. Barnes muttered 
as he obeyed the order on the instant, the others 
following his example, and the officer, seeing that 
the men were apparently ready to submit to the in- 
evitable, cried sharply: 

“ Keep your hands up, and step out here ! Re- 
member that I am counting to shoot at the first who 
lags ever so little ! ” 

Whether Eliphalet Barnes so arranged matters, 
or it was simply chance, the lads who were looking 
on could not say; but certain it is that the smuggler’s 
assistants came out first, standing directly in front 
of the officer, and in a twinkling Mr. Barnes was 
making a dash up the companion-way stairs. 

To Ezra it seemed as if at the same instant there 


202 


THE CRUISE QF THE PHGEBE 


came the report of Mr. Carter’s weapon, he received 
a vicious blow from Eliphalet Barnes, in whose 
path he chanced to stand, and heard a mighty splash- 
ing of water telling that the smuggler had leaped 
overboard. 

The bullet from the officer’s weapon lodged in the 
hatchway, doing harm to nobody, and Carter could 
not pursue the one man of all whom it was important 
to capture, because of the two in the cuddy. Un- 
less willing to give them an opportunity for escape, 
he must perforce drive both in front of him on deck 
before taking any measures toward checking Barnes’ 
flight, and then it was too late. 

Mr. Carter emptied every chamber of his re- 
volver, save one, at the small target on the water, 
for Mr. Barnes swam deeply, as had Tommy when 
he set out for the light-house, and none of the shots 
took effect. 

When Ezra, whose face was streaming with blood 
from the blow dealt by the smuggler, scrambled to 
his feet, Barnes could be dimly seen in the gray 
light, making his way ashore amid the rocks, and 
the trap which had seemingly been so certain of 
working as it should, was shown to be a failure, so 
far as capturing the leader was concerned. 

It could readily be seen by the expression on Mr. 
Carter’s face that he was as disappointed an officer 
as had ever undertaken an arrest, for instead of get- 
ting hold of the man against whom he had ample 
evidence, there remained in his hands two who might 
well be able to prove that they had no connection 
with any smuggling operations. 


THE CRUISE OF THE PHCEBE 203 

However, he did not give words to his chagrin; 
but while reloading his revolver, and at the same 
time keeping close watch over the two unimportant 
prisoners, he asked of Ezra, not turning his head 
to look at the lad: 

“ Are you hurt much? ” 

“ There seems to be a good deal of blood cornin’; 
but I reckon it’s only because Barnes hit me such a 
fair clip on the nose. I’ll be all right in a few 
minutes.” 

“ How long will it take you to put the sparker in 
place? ” 

“ That’ll be a short job, if it fits.” 

“ Get to work at it as soon as you are in shape, 
for if I can be in Eastport and turn these fellows 
over to the officers there within an hour. I’ll yet 
have a show of overhauling my man.” 

It can well be imagined that the crew of the 
Phoebe were exceedingly eager to do all that Mr. 
Carter desired, for until Eliphalet Barnes was in the 
custody of the law, they could not feel safe while 
continuing the business of lobster buying. 

If the man went free after this effort to arrest 
him, there could be no question but that he would 
devote a considerable portion of his time to squar- 
ing matters with those who had set the trap; and, 
as Tommy said while the three were working over 
the motor, after Ezra had tied his face up so that 
the blood would not interfere with their move- 
ments : 

“ If we can help catch Eliphalet Barnes by 
bangin’ ’round here for a week, it’ll be a good job. 


204 the cruise of THE PHOEBE 

’cause in case he goes free we’ll need to keep our 
eyes skinned for him at every port we make.” 

Fortunately, so far as Mr. Carter’s desires were 
concerned, the motor was in working order within 
half an hour, and the Phoebe running at full speed 
up the harbor. 

The two prisoners were rendered submissive by 
being handcuffed and placed in the cuddy, after 
which Tommy, eager to get an inkling of what Mr. 
Carter proposed to do, said in a questioning tone: 

“ That little plan didn’t work exactly as we 
counted on? ” 

“ No, lad,” the officer replied bitterly, “ and I 
can credit myself with the failure of it. I was little 
less than a fool to make any attempt at taking all 
three prisoners; but should have given my undivided 
attention to your friend Barnes, knowing him for 
the slippery customer he is. I shall get credit for 
playing the fool, by allowing him to remain be- 
hind the other two while I stood at the forward end 
of the cuddy, instead of at the companion-way where 
was my proper place. It is enough to make a man 
ache to kick himself, this having a fellow trapped 
so completely, and yet giving him an opportunity 
which would have been taken advantage of by the 
most bungling criminal that ever went unjailed.” 

“ Do you really think there’s a chance of gettin’ 
hold of him ? ” 

“ Just a chance, and nothing more, lad. I can’t 
turn these two free; but must spend my time to put 
them away safely, after which, with such help as 
can be had in Eastport, and this smack to carry us 


THE CRUISE OF THE PHOEBE 205 

from point to point, we’ll unearth Barnes if such 
a thing is within the range of possibilities.” 

“ But we’ve got lobsters in the well, an’ ought’er 
get them into Portland,” Dick said disconsolately, 
as he overheard the last portion of the officer’s re^ 
mark. 

‘‘ It don’t make any difference what you have got 
on board. I’m using this smack at present, and it 
will be for you to put in a claim to the government 
for services, in case I keep her any length of time.” 

“ So it seems we ain’t out of the scrape after 
all,” Dick whispered to his partner, and Ezra re- 
plied cheerily: 

‘‘ Accordin’ to my way of thinkin’ we are, an’ 
surely for the sake of gettin’ rid of Eliphalet 
Barnes we should be willin’ to take Mr. Carter 
wherever he wants to go, even though there was no 
chance of our bein’ paid for the work.” 

It’ll be pay enough if he carries that old pirate 
so far away that there’s no show of his ever gettin’ 
back here,” Master Downing said emphatically, and 
there the conversation ceased, for it was necessary 
Ezra go into the cuddy to look after the motor. 

It was much as if the Phoebe wanted to prove her 
readiness to aid in the chase, for she made the run 
up from Quoddy Head in remarkably good time, 
and there was found, strange to say, quite an as- 
semblage of citizens on the pier, as if already had 
the news been brought to the town of what had oc- 
curred so short a time before. 

Mr. Carter, after cautioning the boys to keep a 
sharp lookout lest the prisoners should attempt to 


206 THE CRUISE OF THE PHOEBE 


give them the slip, went on shore in search of a 
local officer, and the crew of the Phoebe found them- 
selves the center of a curious throng, each member 
of which was eager to learn all the particulars. 

“How did you know anythin’ had happened?” 
Master Downing asked, he in turn playing the part 
of questioner before making reply. 

“ Well, I can’t tell,” one of the idlers said with 
an assumption of carelessness. “ When we seen 
your craft cornin’ up at full speed, it kind’er seemed 
as though somethin’ might’er happened, an’ havin’ 
nothin’ else to do we loafed down here to find out.” 

“ I don’t suppose any of you was expectin’ to see 
Mr. Eliphalet Barnes run up here in command of 
this craft, eh?” Tommy asked in a meaning tone, 
whereat four or five of the bystanders professed to 
be indignant because of what seemed much like an 
insinuation, and there was no doubt in the minds 
of the lobster buyers but that these very sensitive 
gentlemen were in some way connected with the 
smuggler whom Mr. Carter was so eager to capture. 

Neither of the boys felt at liberty to answer very 
many of the questions which were asked, and more 
particularly were they cautious because of the pos- 
sibility that there might be a sufficient number near- 
about who were so friendly with the prisoners as to 
make an attempt at rescue, in which case it must 
have succeeded, for the crew of the Phoebe had no 
weapons with which to defend themselves. 

Meanwhile the two in the cuddy who were wear- 
ing handcuffs appeared to be very well content, and 
Ezra set it down in his mind as a fact that they 


THE CRUISE OF THE PHCEBE 207 

counted on claiming to have been employed by Mr. 
Barnes for some innocent purpose which had no con- 
nection whatsoever with any violation of the law. 

One of them came to the companion-way, for the 
hatch had been left partially open, and would have 
entered into conversation with those on the pier; but 
Ezra, fearing an appeal for rescue might be made, 
closed the aperture hurriedly, fastening the hatch 
securely. 

As if seemingly bent on satisfying their curiosity, 
the idle ones from the pier came aboard the Phoebe, 
looking into the wheel-house and the well, as if 
never having seen a lobster smack before, and the 
lads did not believe it wise to forbid any such in- 
trusion lest it should provoke a quarrel in which 
they might be worsted. But Ezra paced fore and 
aft, keeping his eyes upon the unwelcome visitors 
lest they succeed in doing a mischief, and once when 
he had stopped at the door of the wheel-house to 
look in at two who had apparently taken possession 
of the place, a voice behind him said in a low but 
threatening tone: 

“ Don’t make the mistake of bein’ too hot in chase 
after Eliphalet Barnes, for them as help capture him, 
if so be he is captured, will have a hot time of it.” 

When the speaker first began Ezra did not re- 
alize that he was addressed; but when the threat 
was come to an end he understood that the words 
were intended solely for him, and wheeled about 
suddenly to face the speaker, but in this he was dis- 
appointed. 

The man who had made the threat must have 


208 THE CRUISE OF THE PHCEBE 


joined three or four others who were near at hand, 
very suddenly, for the master of the Phoebe could 
see no one standing near him. 

Without being so directed. Tommy had taken his 
station near the cuddy companion, and perhaps it 
was well he did so, for two or three of the visitors 
loitered in that locality much as if bent on having 
speech with those confined below, whereupon Mas- 
ter Downing insisted peremptorily, as if he had the 
means of enforcing his orders: 

“ You mustn’t stand ’round here. Mr. Carter 
told us to keep everybody away from the cabin.” 

“ So ‘ Mr. Carter ’ is the name of the guy who’s 
runnin’ this ’ere business, is it?” 

“ He’s the customs officer who has just gone 
ashore.” 

“ Well, Mr. Carter better not hang ’round 
Quoddy Head very long,” one of the men said 
boldly. “ I allow he can do pretty nigh as he 
pleases up here; but further down the harbor we 
don’t reckon on havin’ strangers nosin’ inter our af- 
fairs.” 

According to Tommy’s ideas it was well that the 
customs officer returned quickly, and with a force of 
three men at his heels, otherwise there might have 
been decided trouble on the Phoebe’s deck, for those 
who had come aboard without an invitation were 
growing bolder each moment, until, a few seconds 
before Mr. Carter appeared, Ezra was literally 
trembling with apprehension, believing a rescue 
would be attempted. 


THE CRUISE OF THE PHOEBE 209 

The officers of Eastport made short work of clear- 
ing the deck. Two of them took the prisoners from 
the cuddy, while the third remained on board as if 
under orders to do so. 

“ Now then, lads, you will get under way as 
quickly as you know how, for it’s a case of putting 
me ashore nearby where Barnes landed, and that 
as soon as may be.” 

“Then what, sir?” Ezra asked as he started the 
motor, for he was already in the cuddy when the 
officer gave the command. 

“ Then it’s all a matter of luck, my lad.” 

Ezra repeated to Mr. Carter even while the 
Phoebe was being got under way, the threat which 
had been made for his benefit, and Tommy, who 
came up in time to hear the words, added the in- 
formation which had been given him regarding the 
danger of loitering in the vicinity of Quoddy Head, 
all of which appeared to disturb the officer not one 
whit. 

“ We knew a year ago that Barnes had plenty of 
partners nearabout here, otherwise he could not have 
carried on the business as he did before we made the 
mistake of catching him with a small amount of 
goods in his possession. 

“Made the mistake, sir?” Tommy repeated in 
bewilderment. “ I thought that’s just what you 
wanted to do, was to catch him.” 

“Ay, lad; but what we’re after is to trip him in 
some big transaction such as this evidently was in- 
tended to be. However, we haven’t utterly failed. 


210 THE CRUISE OF THE PHGEBE 


for we’ll find the goods ashore, most likely where 
you landed that small lot, and I shall not give up 
hope of bagging the rascal yet.” 

Then Mr. Carter went forward to the wheel- 
house, and Tommy suddenly remembered that the 
breakfast which he had begun to cook had been 
forgotten, therefore he went ^bout the task once 
more, while Ezra remained at the motor lest any- 
thing should go wrong at a time when the Phoebe’s 
best speed was needed. 

“ The way things have turned out, this ’ere busi- 
ness of lobster buyin’ don’t seem to be anythin’ very 
tame,” Master Downing said as he gave his first 
exhibition of bread-making since coming aboard the 
smack. “ When I hired out it struck me that, ex- 
cept when we got up near ’round Portland, things 
would be kind’er dull — jest a case of loafin’ along 
shore, hittin’ up whatever fishermen we found; but 
it begins to seem as if I was goin’ to see a good 
deal of this ’ere world. So all hands of us are in 
the custom-house business now, an’ at the rate things 
are goin’ nobody can say what we’ll be up to by 
this time to-morrow.” 

“ We’ll hope. Tommy, that within the next 
twenty-four hours we’ll be headed for home, stop- 
pin’ by the way only long enough to take on more 
of a cargo, an’ even though we ain’t able to buy 
another lobster, I shall be satisfied to go back so’s 
to start over again,” and Master Downing under- 
stood by the expression on the face of the senior 
partner that he was beginning to be worried con- 
cerning the final outcome. 


THE CRUISE OF THE PHCEBE 


2II 


Fm allowin’ things will turn out all right in the 
end,” Tommy said cheerily, working as energetically 
at the bread-making as if upon it depended all the 
future. “ ’Cordin’ to my way of thinkin’, Mr. Car- 
ter won’t loaf ’round here a very long spell, an’ I 
don’t believe he’s got as much chance to catch 
Eliphalet Barnes as I have of strikin’ a gold mine. 
’Cause why? ’Cause Barnes knows every crook an’ 
turn of this ’ere coast, an’ with so many to help him 
it’ll be queer if he don’t get out’er the way, seein’s 
he’s had such a good start.” 

“ But that isn’t what’s troublin’ me. Tommy,” 
Ezra replied thoughtfully. “ Mr. Carter came 
down here believin’ it was goin’ to be* a reg’lar snap 
to get his hands on Barnes, an’ now that he has failed 
through his own fault, I’m afraid he’ll keep up the 
chase, useless though it seems, longer than will be 
pleasant for us. I wouldn’t say as much where Dick 
could hear me, ’cause he gets down to the heel so 
quickly, always lookin’ out for trouble; but it ap- 
pears to be a fact that we shall be kept from our 
reg’lar business quite a spell.” 

“ Now you’re the one who is lookin’ out for 
trouble,” Master Downing said with a laugh. 
“ Wait till this day is ended before you bother your 
head so very much, ’cause I’ve got an idee that this 
officer of ours will find he’s bitten off more’n he can 
chew, when it comes to chasin’ Eliphalet Barnes 
round Quoddy Head, though perhaps the man he’s 
got with him knows a trick or two that’ll help out. 
I’m goin’ to give you fellers the breakfast of your 
lives, if these ’ere biscuit rise ’cordin’ as they ought 


212 THE CRUISE OF THE PHCEBE 


to, an’ when a feller is filled right up with his in- 
sides chock full, he stands a little bother a good 
deal better’n when he’s hungry. You may not be- 
lieve it; but I’m tellin’ you that in a time like this 
the cook is the biggest toad in the puddle, an’ I 
know what I’m talkin’ about. When things was 
pretty blue up to Abel Saunders I could have stood 
’em all right if I hadn’t been hungry, so you watch 
me keep this stove hummin’ from now till Mr. Car- 
ter says we can ’tend to our own business.” 


CHAPTER XI 


TOWING 

After having explained to his employer that he 
believed a plentiful amount of food was the one 
thing necessary in order to keep lads in a contented 
frame of mind, Master Downing seemingly set 
about proving his proposition. 

From that moment until after breakfast had been 
served, he apparently gave no heed to anything 
around him save his duties as cook, and certainly he 
did dish up a very tempting meal within half an hour 
after the Phoebe had left Eastport. 

The biscuits were done to a turn; the bacon was 
crisp and dry, while the shredded salt-fish with al- 
leged cream, was as palatable as a hungry boy 
could desire. 

Even Mr. Carter, who was seriously disturbed in 
mind because of the blunder he had made, and 
anxious regarding the possibility of catching the 
smuggler, found amid his mental perplexities not 
only opportunity to praise the cook, but to show by 
the quantity he ate his opinion of the breakfast. 

As a matter of course, Mr. Carter could not re- 
main long at table because of the desire to keep 
close watch upon the shore; therefore he ate hur- 
riedly, and when he went on deck Master Downing 
said triumphantly to Ezra: 

213 


214 the cruise of the phgebe 


“ Now you can see that what I told you was true. 
Fm allowin’ that Mr. Carter is about as mixed up 
in his mind as a man well can be, an’ yet did you 
notice how kind’er chipper he looked when he went 
out of here? That’s because he was filled up with 
stuff that tasted good.” 

“ You boys been having some kind of an argu- 
ment about eating?” the officer from Eastport, 
whose name was Jack Marriner, asked with a laugh, 
and without hesitation Tommy gave him a brief 
outline of what he had said to his employer regard- 
ing the importance of having a cook who knew his 
trade thoroughly well. 

“ I’m allowing you come pretty nigh being right, 
my son,” Mr. Marriner said in a tone of approval. 
“ I don’t call myself a glutton by any manner of 
means; but yet it’s a fact that if I can have what I 
want to eat I’m in better trim for a day’s work, 
whatever it may be.” 

Then the officer gave his attention once more to 
the food before him, and if the quantity eaten had 
a beneficial effect, surely Jack Marriner should have 
been in proper “ trim ” during the remainder of the 
day. 

When Ezra had finished his breakfast he went 
out to relieve Dick of his duties as helmsman, and 
as the latter came below Tommy asked, showing an 
interest in the movements of the Phoebe for the first 
time since she left the dock at Eastport: 

“ How far down are we now? ” 

“ You can just see the row of sticks that stand 


THE CRUISE OF THE PHOEBE 


215 


near where you put the stuff ashore in order to 
oblige the fisherman who was playin’ into Eliphalet 
Barnes’ hands.” 

“ It’s time I was on deck then,” Mr. Marriner 
said as he rose from the table hurriedly. “ Say, 
cook, keep a little of that fish and four or five bis- 
cuits, warm for me, will you ? I haven’t had 
more’n half enough yet.” 

“All right, matey. I’ll do so; but it strikes me 
you brought your appetite with you.” 

“ That’s what I did,” the officer replied laugh- 
ingly. “ It seemed hard lines when I was ordered 
to come down here without having a chance to go 
home for a bite to eat; but so far as I have gone 
it looks as if it was a bit of good luck, for you’re 
what I call an A-i cook, even though you are work- 
ing on a lobster smack.” 

“ I suppose you allow I belong in some of them 
big hotels where they take in city folks for the sum- 
mer, eh?” Tommy said with a chuckle, and one 
could readily see that he was well pleased at being 
thus praised. 

“ Of course you didn’t get a sight of Eliphalet 
Barnes?” Master Downing said questioningly when 
he and Dick were alone. 

“ Not a bit of it, an’ what’s more, we shan’t. It 
strikes me that Mr. Carter is acting considerably 
foolish in thinkin’ he can catch that old smuggler 
after givin’ him the start of a couple of hours. I’m 
not allowin’ but he knows his business; yet if all the 
customs officers have gone about their work in the 


2i6 the cruise of THE PHCEBE 


same way, I don’t wonder Barnes has kept clear of 
the law so long. Do you know we’re likely to be 
held here for a week?” 

“ That’s what Ezra was fussin’ about; but I told 
him same as I’m tellin’ you, that I don’t believe any- 
thin’ of the kind, ’cause Mr. Carter will get tired of 
his job after a spell, an’ tumble to himself. Any 
how, s’posen we should have to cruise back and forth 
here ! It ain’t so terrible cruel compared with what 
would have happened if the officers hadn’t come 
down.” 

“ Right for you. Tommy; but all the same I’d 
rather be alongshore pickin’ up a cargo of lobsters, 
for there can’t be many dollars in this kind of busi- 
ness.” 

Then Dick gave his undivided attention to the 
food before him, while Tommy made up the beds 
and set the cuddy to rights generally, so far as was 
possible while breakfast was still in progress. 

Five minutes later the signal to stop the motor 
was given, and as Dick obeyed, he said with the air 
of one giving desirable information: 

“ We’ve come off that landin’ where the stuff was 
left, an’ I reckon Mr. Carter is goin’ ashore. In 
that case you’ll have to man-the dory, unless he gives 
orders to come to anchor.” 

Tommy ran on deck ready for any duty which 
might be demanded of him. 

Mr. Carter was going ashore, and evidently 
counted on remaining for some time, if one might 
judge from the orders he gave Jack Marriner. 

“ You are to cruise back and forth around the 


THE CRUISE OF THE PHCEBE 


217 


Head, until I show myself on the shore again,” he 
said as he stepped into the dory which Tommy had 
promptly pulled alongside. “ In case you get your 
eye on our man, don’t let him slip you if it can be 
helped.” 

“ I allow I know enough for that part of it,” 
Mr. Marriner said half to himself, and Tommy, 
who was pulling toward the shore by this time, asked 
of his passenger: 

“ Do you think there’s any show of your gettin’ 
hold of Barnes now that he has had two hours or 
more the start ? ” 

“ I’m afraid not, my lad. The old fox probably 
has plenty of hiding places around about here; but 
I’ll get an idea of the lay of the land, so that if we 
should round him up later on. I’ll know better than 
I now do what ought to be done.” 

Tommy set the officer ashore, and when he re- 
turned to the Phoebe it was to whisper cheerily in 
Ezra’s ear: 

“ ’Cordin’ to what Mr. Carter told me, I’m al- 
lowin’ we shan’t knock about here much longer than 
to-day.” 

And in this Tommy was correct, as was soon 
learned. At half-speed the Phoebe steamed up and 
down the coast, running as near the shore as was 
prudent, while Jack Marriner kept closest watch 
from the pilot-house; but without seeing anything of 
the man who had escaped so easily from what Mr. 
Carter had though a perfect trap. 

Twice the boys saw the customs officer as he 
wandered here and there in an apparently aimless 


2i8 the cruise of THE PHCEBE 


manner, and thus they knew that his search had been 
in vain. 

True to his old doctrine, Master Downing pre- 
pared an unusually elaborate dinner, and kept the 
coffee-pot filled and on the stove from morning until 
night, for the benefit of the officers as well as his 
employers. 

Shortly before sunset Mr. Carter showed himself 
on the rocks near about where the Phoebe had lain 
so long at anchor, and made signals to be taken on 
board. 

“ I reckon we may as well give up the search for 
the time being,” he said disconsolately when he was 
on the deck once more. “ There was little hope in 
my mind that I could run across the scoundrel; but 
still I was bound to make a try for it. Have you 
seen anything of him, Marriner?” 

“ Not so much as a hair. If he hadn’t some one 
near at hand who took him off in a boat, you may 
count it certain that from the moment he landed he 
has been making his way up the coast. I have heard 
it said that there are two or three shanties within 
eight or ten miles of here where he can lay under 
cover in case things get a trifle too warm for him.” 

“ We’ll have a look at them to-morrow, if that’s 
the case,” Mr. Carter replied, his face brightening 
not a little. 

“ You’ll have to walk, for there’s no show of get- 
ting to either place in a boat, if I am rightly in- 
formed as to their location.” 

“ Then we’ll trust to our legs, and these lads, 
after setting us ashore at Eastport, may go their 


THE CRUISE OF THE PHCEBE 219 

way. I reckon they won’t be sorry to part company 
with us.” 

“We might like to keep you longer as passengers; 
but don’t have any great fancy for moonin’ around 
the way we have been doin’ to-day,” Ezra said with 
a laugh, as he went into the pilot-house and gave 
the signal “ ahead at full sped.” 

“ Suppose some of Barnes’ friends should make 
the charge of smugglin’ against us, sir? ” Ezra asked 
when the Phoebe was headed for the harbor and 
Mr. Carter had come into the pilot-house. 

“ There’s little fear of that, lad. Even though 
you had refused to do what Barnes commanded, I 
question very much if he or any of his mates would 
have had the nerve to carry out the threat. If it 
should be done, however, no attention will be paid 
to the matter after my report has been sent in. 
Where are you going from here ? ” 

“ Very nearly straight home,” Ezra replied em- 
phatically. “ It may be we shall stop here or there 
if Tommy thinks there’s a chance of gettin’ a few 
more lobsters; but we shan’t loiter by the way, that 
I can tell you for a fact.” 

“ Keep your eyes and ears open all the way up, 
and if you see anything that might have to do with 
Barnes, or hear a word concerning him from those 
fishermen whom you meet, send word to the custom 
house as soon after you arrive as possible. Your 
father will attend to that part of the business.” 

This was very nearly all Mr. Carter had to say to 
the young lobster traders before parting with them 
at the pier in Eastport. He was in haste to get 


220 THF CRUISE OF THE PHCEBE 


ashore, and the boys equally eager to be under way, 
therefore little time was spent at the dock after the 
Phoebe had landed her passengers. 

The sun had already set, and Dick was in favor 
of remaining in the harbor during the night; but to 
this Ezra would not listen. 

“ You know very well the threats that have been 
made, an’ I shan’t feel comfortable in mind until 
we have left this part of the coast a good many 
miles behind us,” he said to his partner. “ There’s 
no need of takin’ any risks, an’ if we can’t run this 
smack in the night, it’s time we gave over the busi- 
nes of buyin’ lobsters.” 

Therefore it was that an hour after sunset the 
Phoebe rounded Quoddy Head, with her bow as 
nearly due west as the conformation of the shore 
would permit, and once more it seemed to the young 
lobster traders as if they had an opportunity of 
transacting business. 

While Mr. Carter had the same as been in com- 
mand of the Phoebe, Master Downing ceased to take 
direction of affairs, as he had done when they were 
attending strictly to the work of buying lobsters. 
He had apparently been content to play the part of 
cook, and there was no question whatsoever but 
that he had played it well. 

Now, however, as soon as the smack was heading 
westward, and the customs officer was far astern. 
Tommy came to the front in his peremptory way, 
deciding, without consulting his employers, as to 
what should or should not be done. This he did 
as if believing he had been hired for the purpose. 


THE CRUISE OF THE PHCEBE 221 


but not In what might, even by the widest stretch 
of the imagination, have been considered in any way 
offensive or disrespectful. 

“We’ll pull up at Head Harbor Island,” he an- 
nounced when he came from having put the cuddy 
to rights, to take his trick at the wheel. “ It can’t 
be more’n forty miles away, an’ we’ll get there jest 
about the right time to catch the fishermen before 
they start out for the mornin’s work.” 

“ After waitin’ at Quoddy Head so long, I had 
It in mind that we’d better put straight for home,” 
Ezra replied doubtfully. “We haven’t got quite 
a thousand lobsters In the well; but, if the market 
price has held up, even that number will pay a profit 
on the cruise. If we don’t count our time as bein’ 
worth anythin’.” 

“ Well, we are goin’ home all the same, as I take 
it,” Master Downing replied promptly. “ Stoppin’ 
at Head Harbor won’t hold us back very long, an’ 
we ought’er get two or three hundred there, besides 
makin’ a trade for the fishermen to hold their catch 
till we come again. It would be crazy business to 
sail right past, when the true course to Portland will 
take us within a mile of the place.” 

“ All right, we’ll stop there, that Is,” Ezra added 
quickly, “ if Dick don’t make any objections. He 
should have more of a voice In the matter than I, 
since It was his father who lent us the money to 
start with.” 

Tommy, determined that the matter should be set- 
tled at once, asked through the speaking tube of the 
junior partner, who was looking after the motor: 


222 THE CRUISE OF THE PHCEBE 


“ What about stoppin’ at two or three places on 
the way to pick up sich lobsters as are bangin’ 
’round loose?” 

“ I want to get home as soon as possible,” Dick 
replied. “ After all the trouble we’ve run up 
against, it seems as if we ought to have a talk with 
father before gettin’ into a worse fix than we’ve al- 
ready lighted on.” 

‘ I don’t reckon you’d be in any very great danger 
if you took on a full cargo, providin’ it didn’t cost 
more’n a day’s extra time,” Master Downing said 
in a fine tone of scorn. “ Of course, if you’re out 
here for fun, it’s all right to run home every hour 
or two; but seein’s you’ve gone inter the business of 
buyin’ lobsters, an’ owe your father considerable 
money, he’d take it as a favor if you did what you 
could towards makin’ a dollar or two so’s to come 
somewhere near squarin’ accounts.” 

Dick did not reply through the tube; but Tommy 
had no more than ceased speaking before he was at 
the door of the pilot-house, saying irritably: 

“ I don’t have to run home every little while; but 
we’ve been so mixed up that it seems as if we ought 
to have a talk with father.” 

“ Do you allow any great harm would come if 
you didn’t get at him for another day?” Master 
Downing asked sarcastically. “ Don’t you reckon 
we’d make a better showin’ if we sailed inter West- 
bay with the well chock-a-block with lobsters, than 
to go back showin’ ’bout a thousand? It won’t cost 
a cent more to take on all we can carry ! ” 

“ All right, work it your way,” Dick replied after 


THE CRUISE OF THE PHCEBE 223 

a brief hesitation. “ So long as we don’t go out 
of the course, I suppose we may as well buy what 
we can.” 

“ Then that part of it is settled,” Tommy said 
with an air of relief. “ What I want is to have you 
fellows make the biggest kind of a showin’, an’ if 
we went back half loaded, when there are plenty of 
lobsters to be bought, it would look as if we got 
scared out’er our boots. You two can get supper 
if you want any, an’ then may turn in, for I’ll stay 
here till we make Head Harbor.” 

“ I’ll lend a hand after I warm up something to 
eat,” Ezra said cheerily as he followed his partner 
below, and Master Downing said to himself as a 
smile of satisfaction overspread his face after he 
was alone: 

“ I only wish I owned a third of this business ! 
You can bet this ’ere smack never’d poke her nose 
inter Westbay harbor till the well was full, not if 
I had to lay by somewhere an’ put out pots I ” 

Ezra kept his word, so far as coming back an 
hour later to relieve Tommy; but that young gentle- 
man insisted that he could “ stand there all night ” 
if he saw a chance to make an extra dollar, and 
urged that the two partners stand watch and watch 
below, in order that each might get a certain amount 
of sleep. 

“ You’ll need a turn in the bunk as much as we,” 
Ezra protested, and Master Downing replied In a 
tone which admitted of no argument: 

“ There are a lot of Islands ’round Head Harbor, 
an’ I’m countin’ to give ’em all a call ’twixt sunrise 


224 THE CRUISE OF THE PHOEBE 

an’ sunset to-morrow. You couldn’t do it on ac- 
count of not knowin’ the water. After we leave 
there, I’ll turn in an’ get all of my sleep in one 
lump. Better let me handle this smack for the rest 
of the cruise, for somehow it seems as if I was more 
used to the business.” 

Ezra went below without further parley, and once 
there said to his partner, after repeating what the 
“crew” had proposed: 

“ If we ever get entirely rid of Eliphalet Barnes, 
I’m thinkin’ we’d better give Tommy an equal 
share in the business; he can do twice as much work 
as either you or me, an’ do it better.” 

“ I wouldn’t wonder if you were right, Ezra. 
That boy is havin’ the highest kind of a time bar- 
gainin’ with the fishermen, an’ seems to know all of 
them on this coast. We’ll see what father says 
about takin’ him into partnership.” 

The young traders were not quite so selfish as to 
leave Tommy alone at the wheel all night while they 
slept below, for one of the other visited him every 
half-hour, and offered to take the helm while he 
“scooped in forty winks;” but Master Downing re- 
mained at his post until entering Head Harbor bay, 
an hour or more before sunrise, when, having given 
the signal to stop the motor, he let go the anchor. 

“ Here we are,” he said cheerily, “ an’ I’m goin’ 
ashore to see what’s to be done. You’re to stay 
here an’ take care of the fishermen as fast as I 
send ’em aboard. That’ll be the quickest way to 
wind up the job,” he added when Ezra would have 
insisted on doing his share of the work at the oars. 


THE CRUISE OF THE PHCEBE 225 

“ Be gettin’ breakfast, for I’m growin’ kind’er 
empty, an’ will need considerable grub by the time 
I get back.” 

Because of the darkness it was impossible for the 
partners to see whether there were any buildings 
nearby on shore, and Dick said sleepily as he re- 
entered the cuddy after Tommy was lost to view in 
the blackness: 

“ I’m goin’ to turn in for a spell; he won’t find 
anybody till daylight, an’ there’s chance for quite 
a nap before then.” 

Master Downing did not give them an opportunity 
for any lengthy time of repose; it seemed as if the 
partners had no more than stretched themselves out 
in their bunks before the smack was hailed, and when 
Ezra went on deck it was to find a fisherman close 
alongside. 

Then in rapid succession four others arrived, and 
when Tommy came on board they had added three 
hundred to the number of lobsters in the well. 

“ That’s the way to do business ! ” Master Down- 
ing said in a tone of approval when the last visitor 
had been paid for his catch. “ The sun ain’t fairly 
up yet, an’ you’ve made a dozen dollars sure. What 
about that breakfast?” 

“ We didn’t have time to cook it before the first 
man came alongside.” 

‘‘ I didn’t allow you would,” Tommy said with a 
chuckle of satisfaction. “ These folks ’round here 
are early birds, an’ the best time to catch ’em is jest 
before daylight. We won’t wind things up so quick 
at Steel harbor, for it’ll be a case of waitin’ till 


226 THE CRUISE OF THE PHOEBE 


they’ve pulled their pots an’ done the chores ashore. 
If you’ll start the screw we’ll run over now, an’ you 
can get breakfast while we’re under way.” 

“ Why not hold on here a spell, an’ eat with some 
degree of comfort? ” Dick asked laughingly. 

“ We’ve got too much on hand to waste any time 
to-day,” Tommy said briskly as he began to heave in 
on the anchor. “ I want to strike all these places 
’round here, an’ you fellers will get to fussin’ if it’s 
a question of holdin’ on another twenty-four hours.” 

“ Go ahead your own gait. Tommy, an’ we’ll agree 
to whatever you may say,” Ezra cried with a hearty 
laugh. “ You’ve already shown us that you know 
how to run this smack to the best advantage, an’ we’d 
be fools not to let you have your head.” 

“ That’s what I think,” Master Downing replied 
in a matter-of-fact tone; “ but even at that we don’t 
hang ’round here jest for the sake of eatin’ break- 
fast after we’ve gathered in all the lobsters. Start 
your screw, an’ I’ll look after the rest of it ! ” 

During the next live hours Tommy was so en- 
grossed with the business of his employers that he 
did not even have time to get his share of the break- 
fast which Ezra had prepared, and in that time the 
cargo had been added to very materially. At Steel 
Harbor island they bought two hundred and ten; at 
the small islands in the immediate vicinity exactly the 
same number were taken on board, and then Master 
Downing said as he weighed anchor for at least the 
fifth time: 

“ I reckon we’ve cleaned up all that are to be found 
in this bunch of settlements. It must be about fifty 


THE CRUISE OF THE PHCEBE 


227 


miles to Swans island, an* I reckon, if one of you’ll 
take the helm. I’ll get a bite an’ a nap. We ought’er 
come to anchor pretty early in the evenin’ an’ can do 
up our business right lively in the mornin’, seein’s 
we’ll be there in time to catch the fishermen on the 
jump.” 

“We mustn’t put in at Swans island,” Dick said 
decidedly, and Tommy cried in a tone of discourage- 
ment : 

“ I knew that’s the way it would turn out. Here 
we are gettin’ a cargo without spendin’ very much 
time over the job, an’ you’re hungry to get home.” 

“ It isn’t that,” Dick said with a laugh. “ We’ve 
come to the conclusion that you can run things your 
own way; but all the same I’m not willin’ to put in 
at Swans island because of Eliphalet Barnes. That’s 
where he wanted to go, an’ we may run afoul of some 
of his gang.” 

“ S’posen we do ? They don’t know where Eliph- 
alet is, ’cause he’s dodgin’ ’round Quoddy Head yet, 
an’ we can leave there before anybody finds out that 
the old pirate ever played us a trick.” 

“ Now I believe you’re too cautious,” Ezra inter- 
rupted, and his partner, finding himself in the minor- 
ity, said with an air of resignation: 

“ Very well, go it your way. Perhaps you’re 
right; but Barnes has given me such a scare that I 
don’t even dare to go where he may have been, how- 
ever long ago.” 

Tommy set about making ready his first meal on 
that day as soon as Dick had agreed to the proposi- 
tion. Ezra went into the wheel-house, and once 


228 THE CRUISE OF THE PHCEBE 


more the Phoebe was on her course with a big bone 
in her teeth. 

Master Downing kept his word so far as getting a 
nap was concerned. After eating heartily he turned 
in “ all standing,” and slept the sleep of a tired boy 
until nearly sunset, when he partook of another meal 
and then went to the pilot-house, saying as he took 
the wheel from Dick. 

“ You fellows can go below now; Pm all right for 
the next twenty-four hours, an’ I’ll give you a call 
when it’s time to stop the motor, for we should make 
the easterly side of Swans island ’twixt now an’ mid- 
night.” 

Neither of the partners disputed his right to come 
on watch, and both went below, where they remained 
alternately sleeping and looking after the motor 
until about ten o’clock in the evening, when they were 
startled by hearing Tommy cry through the tube: 

“Get on deck lively! Here’s some kind of a 
pleasure boat disabled, an’ signalin’ to us like mad 1 ” 

As a matter of course the boys were out of the 
cuddy in a twinkling, and could see, a mile or more 
to starboard, what appeared to be a motor boat very 
nearly as large as the Phoebe, rising and falling on 
the gentle swell, while from fore and aft were lan- 
terns being swung vigorously, evidently to attract at- 
tention. 

“How long since she’s been in sight?” Ezra 
asked, and Tommy replied: 

“ I saw her ’bout half an hour ago, an’ she hasn’t 
moved since. I reckon she’s disabled, an’ now 
they’re wantin’ us to give ’em a tow.” 


THE CRUISE OF THE PHCEBE 


229 


‘‘ We’d better keep our distance,” Dick grumbled. 
“ The last time we answered signals of distress we 
got ourselves into a scrape that is like to cost us 
dearly.” 

“ But this is a case of earnin’ a lot of money, if 
them as are on board are out pleasurin’. They’re a 
lot of summer visitors, most like, an’ that kind of 
creeters allers have more cash than they know what 
to do with.” 

“ Don’t go ’round huntin’ for easy money. 
Tommy,” Dick cried. “ We got twenty dollars that 
way the last time we were here.” 

“ We’ll have a look at ’em any how, if I’m to run 
things my fashion for the rest of the cruise,” Mas- 
ter Downing said decidedly, as he swung the helm 
down ever so little to come up under the stranger’s 
stern. 

As the Phoebe drew nearer it was possible for the 
boys to see, even in the gloom, that the disabled craft 
was a motor boat forty feet or more in length, with 
a cabin that ran well aft from the pilot-house, leaving 
eight or ten feet of cockpit in which could be seen 
lounging-chairs. There was no question but that she 
was a pleasure yacht, and Tommy grew so excited 
that he could hardly remain at the wheel, as he mut- 
tered : 

“ She’s got one of them summer gangs aboard all 
right, an’ here’s where we make up for the money 
them Portland lawyers are sure to charge on account 
of what we did with the Chinaman.” 

“Ahoy!” came from the disabled craft, and 
Tommy replied, speaking quickly as if afraid one of 


230 THE CRUISE OF THE PHCEBE 

his employers might attempt to conduct the conversa- 
tion. 

“ Hello ! Was you wavin’ them ’ere lanterns for 
us?” 

“ We surely were ! Where are you bound? ” 

“ Portland. This ’ere is the lobster smack Phoebe, 
an’ we’re takin’ in a cargo alongshore.” 

“ Will you give us a tow? ” 

“Where to?” 

“ We’d like to go to Portland; but if you can’t do 
the job, take us where we can get a tug.” 

“ I’m allowin’ you wouldn’t find one nearer than 
Rockland, an’ for us to go there would break up our 
whole cruise.” 

“We don’t care what it breaks up; we’re disabled, 
and likely to remain so until we can make port at 
some decently large city. How much will you take 
to tow us into Portland?” 

“ The Phoebe isn’t heavy enough for that kind of 
a job,” Ezra said in a low tone, and Tommy re- 
plied sharply : 

“ You allowed I could run things my way for the 
rest of this cruise, so keep out’er sight while I do it, 
an’ I’ll put more dollars in your pockets than you’ll 
have to pay the lawyers.” Then he cried to the 
strangers, “ We’re willin’ to do all we can for them 
what can’t help themselves; but it’s a case of losin’ 
more’n a hundred dollars if we tackle the job of 
towin’ you, an’ I ain’t dead certain’ this craft can do 
the work.” 

“ If you’ll put us into Portland harbor we’ll pay 
you an hundred dollars, and as much more as you 


THE CRUISE OF THE PHCEBE 231 

might be able to earn in the same length of time.” 

Now it was possible for the lobster buyers to see 
that the disabled yacht had on board two ladies and 
three or four men, in addition to several sailors who 
evidently made up the working crew. A dainty craft 
she appeared to be, and even the suspicious Dick 
could not fancy that by taking her in tow any trouble 
would come to them. 

“ We’re bound to help those people out of their 
distress,” Master Marshall said in a low tone, step- 
ping toward the rail as if to make some remark; but 
Tommy was on the alert to prevent any inter ferenc,e 
with his plans. 

“ I’ve had your promise that I might run this thing, 
an’ if you get to chinnin’ with the crowd it’ll be a 
case of doin’ the towin’ for nothin’. You didn’t 
hire this smack for the sake of helpin’ pleasure hunt- 
ers out’er scrapes, an’ I’m goin’ to make ’em pay for 
what they get,” and once more he hailed the yacht, 
asking, “ Have you got a hawser that’ll hold the 
strain ? ” 

There was a brief consultation between two of the 
yachtsmen and the sailors, after which he who had 
acted as spokesman replied: 

‘‘ I’m told we’ve got lines in plenty. Will you 
take us in tow? ” 

“ It’s jest like this,” Master Downing said in a 
confidential tone as he bent over the rail in such a 
manner as to prevent Dick from being seen. 
“ We’re out for a cargo, as I’ve told you, an’ have 
got in the well about two thousand lobsters, worth 
three or four hundred dollars, ’cordin’ to the market 


232 THE CRUISE OF THE PHCEBE 

price. Now we’re runnin’ the chances of losin’ all 
them, to say nothin’ of what we might pick up in 
case we didn’t fool ’round with you. If our boat 
can tow yours, an’ I reckon she can, we’ll do the 
trick for a hundred dollars an’ as much more as we 
might’er made by keepin’ on ’bout our business. Is 
it a bargain? ” 

How much could you make by taking on a full 
cargo? ” 

“ Another hundred, sure.” 

The yachtsmen consulted among themselves, the 
ladies taking part, until the spokesman cried: 

“ We’ll give you two hundred dollars if you get 
us inside Portland harbor, and not a cent if you’re 
obliged, because of our being too heavy, to drop us on 
the way.” 

“ It’s a whack! ” Tommy cried sharply. “ Rouse 
out your hawsers, an’ be lively ’bout it. Ezra, stand 
by to take their lines, an’ Dick, get below so’s to send 
us ahead about a dozen turns of the screw.” 

Tommy gave these orders as if he was the only 
person in authority, and since his employers had al- 
lowed him to act the part of captain, they could do 
no less than obey promptly, though Dick said some 
very harsh words under his breath as he went into the 
cuddy, expressive of what he would do in the way of 
taking the conceit out of Master Downing as soon 
as a convenient opportunity presented itself. 



LEANING OUT OF THE PILOT HOUSE, HE GAVE HIS COMMANDS 
IN A PEREMPTORY TONE.” 









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CHAPTER XIII 


A LONG PULL 

The name of the disabled yacht was the Electra, 
as those on board the smack could see when the wind 
swung her around ever so little, and her crew set 
about obeying Master Downing’s commands with 
an alacrity which filled that young man’s heart with 
glee. For the time being, at least, he was the cap- 
tain in command, and with two vessels directly under 
his control. 

Now it is not at all probable that Tommy in- 
tended to be in any degree offensive ; but certain it is 
that he did put on more high and mighty airs than 
would have been warranted in the commander of an 
ocean liner. 

Leaning out of the pilot-house, he gave his com- 
mands in a peremptory tone, finding fault because 
they were not obeyed as soon as spoken, and order- 
ing the passengers as well as the crew of the Electra 
until he had every person on the two vessels, even 
including his own employers, jumping to the sound 
of his voice. 

It must be set down to the credit of Master Down- 
ing, however, that he knew exactly what ought to be 
done, and he set the workers about it in a most sea- 
manlike fashion. 


233 


234 the cruise of THE PHGEBE 

The sailors on the yacht had brought out, in obe- 
dience to Tommy’s command, a new two-inch hawser, 
and when they would have cast one end aboard the 
smack by aid of the heaving line. Master Downing 
found fault with them individually and collectively. 

“ What’s crawlin’ on you fresh water sailors ? ” 
he shouted, and by the volume of noise one might 
have thought he weighed at least two hundred 
pounds. “ Do you allow we’re goin’ to make any 
fist at towin’ you with a single line ? Stretch that out 
along your deck, an’ don’t do so much sogerin’ I Get 
the bight, an’ make your heavin’ line fast to it! 
Hey, you Ezra, clear away that after bitt, an’ see 
if you can’t find somethin’ to put on our rail to pre- 
vent the hawser from chafin’ I Dick, stand by in 
case them lubberly sailors contrive to find the bight 
of that rope.” 

“ I’ll twist his neck for him as soon as we part 
company with this yacht,” Dick said savagely in a 
half-whisper to Ezra, and the latter, who was lit- 
erally shaking with mirth, answered as soon as it was 
possible for him to speak: 

“ I think it’s mighty comical to see him puttin’ on 
airs, an’ if it should happen that we succeed in earnin’ 
two hundred dollars, we can well afford to let him 
swell around a bit more, especially since it’s amusin’.” 

“ I’ll make him pay for it just the same,” Dick 
muttered. “ It’s all our own fault, for if instead of 
remainin’ silent when the yachtsman hailed, we’d at- 
tended to the business as it should have been done, 
the little monkey wouldn’t have had the chance to 
strut around in this fashion.” 


THE CRUISE OF THE PHCEBE 235 

“ Let him strut, an’ I only hope he won’t get tired, 
for it’s the funniest exhibition I have ever seen.” 

There was no danger Tommy would tire of playing 
the captain. It was as if he increased his efforts each 
moment, until so muddled grew the crew of the Elec- 
tra that they hardly knew which way to turn : 

“ Get the kinks out of that hawser, you lubberly 
sogers ! I thought you knew somewhere near 
enough to carry one end clean around the deck until 
you’d got it near the middle. Bear a hand there 
lively ! Do you allow we’re goin’ to lay by here till 
morning waitin’ for you to do a job that ought’er 
been folded an’ wrapped up before this? ” 

Then when the sailors had succeeded in obeying 
his commands, and one of them stood ready to pass 
the heaving-line. Tommy added savagely: 

“ Stand by there, you Ezra, an’ you’ll hear from 
me if you make a slip of it! We’ll show fresh- 
water imitations of sailors what an A-i fisherman 
is like!” 

Ezra sprang to the rail, pulling the collar of his 
coat around his face so that those on the yacht might 
not see he was laughing, and the bight of the hawser 
was brought inboard smartly. 

“ Now take a couple of turns around the bitt, my 
bold lobsterman, an’ you fellers on the yacht there, 
make the end fast on either side the bow, so’s to 
bridle her up to it! See that you don’t have one 
side longer’n the other! There! Steady! Hold 
her as she is till we straighten her up a bit ! ” 

Then Tommy gave the signal to send the Phoebe 
ahead a few turns of the screw, until the hawser was 


236 THE CRUISE OF THE PHGEBE 

so stretched that those on the yacht might bring both 
sides of the bridle even. When this had been done 
Tommy shouted in his loudest and most commanding 
voice ; 

“ Now then, let whoever is skipper of that ’ere 
yacht send a man into the wheel-house that knows 
how to steer. I don’t reckon we’ll stand much in 
need of him; but it’s just as well to make certain 
she don’t yaw, for we’ve got all the job that’s 
needed to get you into Portland harbor. Hello, 
there! What if we run short of gasoline? ” 

“ We’ve got plenty on board, sir! ” was the laugh- 
ing reply, and Dick felt a trifle more comfortable 
in mind when he thus understood that those aboard 
the yacht were amused by Tommy’s excessive show 
of authority. 

“ Now then, Ezra,” Master Downing cried 
through the speaking tube, “ straighten her out slow, 
so’s not to give too much of a jerk at first, an’ we’ll 
see how she holds the strain. Kind’er keep your eye 
skinned till we get her movin’ smoothly, an’ then open 
up as wide as you can.” 

“ There’s one thing about Tommy,” Ezra said to 
Dick, who had just come into the cuddy. “ Even 
though he is puttin’ on a good many airs, the boy 
knows his business. Neither you nor I would have 
thought of puttin’ on a bridle, an’ as for his orders 
about startin’, why a tug-boat captain couldn’t have 
bettered them.” 

Then Ezra obeyed the command. The hawsers 
straightened out like bars of iron as the Phoebe forged 


THE CRUISE OF THE PHCEBE 237 

ahead, and then almost stood still for a full minute 
while the screw was taking up the weight of the tow. 
But there was power enough on the smack, while the 
sea remained like an undulating mirror with not wind 
sufficient to ruffle the surface, to bring the Electra 
into her wake, holding her there steady with a head- 
way of at least four knots. 

“ It’s all right, boys ! ” Tommy shouted through 
the speaking-tube. “ She’s cornin’ after us handily, 
an’ if so be this weather holds, we’ll earn that two 
hundred dollars mighty easy.” 

“ Yes, we have had easy money before, an’ it cost 
us two or three dollars to get one,” Dick replied 
sharply. 

“ But this is a different kind,” Master Downing 
cried triumphantly. “ We are earnin’ it fairly, an’ 
if so be that bitt holds, we’re all right. How about 
the motor? ” 

“ Coin’ smoothly, an’ I see no reason why it can’t 
do the work,” Ezra shouted. “ Of course if we get 
wind enough to kick up a sea, it’s good-bye to your 
chances of finishin’ the job.” 

“ We won’t bother about what may happen, so 
long as things are runnin’ all right now,” the small 
captain cried shrilly, and the click of the speaking 
tube told that he had finished his portion of the con- 
versation. 

“ You may think it’s funny to have Tommy 
swellin’ ’round in this way, as if we’d been hired to 
tremble at his beck and nod; but how about to-mor- 
row mornin’? We shan’t feel very comfortable at 


238 THE CRUISE OF THE PHCEBE 

havin’ those people aboard the yacht lookin’ at us in 
the belief that we are nothin’ more than foremast 
hands aboard a lobster smack.” 

“ If I don’t like it I can keep out of sight,” Ezra 
replied as he watched the motor keenly. “ In case 
the situation becomes too distressin’, I’ll sooth my 
wounded spirit by rememberin’ that if you or I had 
done our duty Tommy wouldn’t have had much 
chance to puff up so big. This is goin’ to be an’ all- 
night job, as a matter of course, an’ there won’t be 
any chance for sleep durin’ the next thirty-six hours 
at the least. Therefore it strikes me you had bet- 
ter turn in for an hour. Then relieve Tommy or 
me, an’ from that out one of us will have a show for 
a snooze every hour.” 

Dick was perfectly willing to act upon this sug- 
gestion, because now that the excitement of getting 
the yacht into shape for towing had subsided, his 
eyes were growing narrow, and ten minutes later mat- 
ters were progressing much as if the Phoebe had been 
built for, and always run as, a tug boat. 

When the sound of heavy breathing told that Dick 
had fallen asleep, Ezra, with a glance at the motor to 
assure himself it was running smoothly, hurried for- 
ward for a few moments conversation with Tommy, 
explaining as he looked in at the wheel-house door 
what arrangements had been made in the way of 
standing watch. 

“ I’m allowin’ I can do my trick here till we get 
into Portland harbor,” Master Downing said stoutly, 
and Ezra replied in a tone which admitted of no ar- 
gument : 


THE CRUISE OF THE PHGEBE 


239 


“ You’ll take your share of sleep with the rest of 
us, an’ whoever is attendin’ to the motor must 
play the part of cook. What about the weath- 
er? ” 

“ I can’t see any sign of a change,” and Tommy 
peered up at the sky with an air of exceeding wis- 
dom. “ It’s likely the wind may freshen a bit just 
before sunrise, an’ then will come the hardest time; 
but it always dies down as the day grows older, so 
if we can hold the yacht in tow from four o’clock 
until seven, the job is the same as done. Of course 
I don’t know anythin’ about motors; but it seems to 
me that perhaps if you slacken up on the speed a 
bit in case there’s much weight in the wind, it may 
help us out. Never mind if we don’t get ahead half 
a mile an hour, so that we hold her.” 

“ I guess we’ll get along all right, an’ in case we 
should succeed in earning that two hundred dollars, 
you’re the one who has made it possible.” 

“ I allowed at the start I could do it better than 
you fellers, ’cause you’d think these pleasure hunters 
ought to have everythin’ for nothin’, an’ wouldn’t 
hang out for the price. Say, I made ’em jump some, 
didn’t I? They must have thought I was a reg’lar 
old shellback.” 

“ You roughed into all hands of us pretty smartly, 
Tommy ! ” Ezra replied laughingly. 

“Yes, I know it, an’ I counted on doin’ it. You 
see there ain’t much show I’ll ever get such a chance 
again, an’ I thought to myself I’d make the most of 
it. It come pretty near ticklin’ me till I doubled up 
into a reg’lar curl, to see Dick’s face when I was 


240 THE CRUISE OF THE PHCEBE 

yippin’ at him. I allow he chafed a little under the 
collar?” 

“ He says that you shall pay up for it as soon as 
we drop this tow.” 

“ That’ll be all right. I’m willin’ to settle with 
the fiddler when I do any dancin’; but seein’s how 
you fellers let it go as if I was the cap’en, you’ll find 
I’ll keep right on bein’ one till we get rid of the 
yacht, an’ then Dick can begin gettin’ square when- 
ever it pleases him. You’ll stand by the anchor when 
we get off Matinicus, of course? ” 

“Stand by the anchor at Matinicus? What do 
you mean? ” 

“ To make up our cargo, of course. Would you 
allow to run by there, an’ miss the chance of gettin’ 
what lobsters those fellers have saved for us? ” 

“ But look here. Tommy, you can’t run a lobster 
smack an’ a tug boat at the same time.” 

“What’s the reason I can’t? Just keep your eye 
on me, an’ see how easy it’ll be done. Why it would 
be jest the same as throwin’ good money away, to 
keep on past Matinicus when we’ve got to go within 
half a mile. Them fellers in the yacht won’t take 
any account of an hour or two that we may spend, 
an’ even if they do, how are they goin’ to help them- 
selves? I didn’t say we wouldn’t stop anywhere we 
wanted to.” 

“ It won’t do. Tommy. You mustn’t run the risk 
of bitin’ off more’n you can chew.” 

“I’ll agree not to do anythin’ of that kind; but 
you allowed I was to run this smack, an’ I’m goin’ 
to do it so’s to show you how to pile up the dollars. 


THE CRUISE OF THE PHOEBE 241 

I didn’t live three years with Abel Saunders for 
nothin’.” 

Ezra realized that it would be useless for him to 
enter into any argument just at that time, and, be- 
sides, he did not feel at liberty to remain away from 
the motor many moments, therefore he went aft, say- 
ing to himself as a smile overspread his face; 

“ I’ve heard about drivers before now, an’ have 
seen some captains who could do a good deal of it; 
but it is my opinion that if Tommy Downing ever 
has command of a craft he’ll be the worst driver 
that was ever seen off the Maine coast.” 

Once only during the night did Tommy come off 
duty, and then much against his will. He declared 
that it would be impossible for him to sleep while it 
was yet a question as to whether the Phoebe would be 
able to tow the yacht throughout the coming day, 
and begged permission to remain at his post; but 
Ezra was firm, and Master Downing crawled into 
the bunk protesting sorely. 

Within half an hour, however, he was on his feet 
once more, declaring that try as he might slumber 
was impossible, and Ezra was virtually forced to 
let him have his own way. 

Fortunately for the lobster traders, the wind did 
not spring up at sunrise. It was hardly more than a 
breath of the night that came over the sea, barely 
wrinkling the waters, and Master Downing cried 
triumphantly through the speaking tube: 

“ Earnin’ that two hundred dollars now is just like 
takin’ money from a baby, an’ you’ll have it in your 
pockets by midnight.” 


242 THE CRUISE OF THE PHOEBE 


“ You are allowin’ us a long run,” Ezra replied. 

“ I don’t want to figger too close. If we say we 
won’t get in for eighteen hours, an’ then make it 
twelve, we’ll feel all the better. It’s a case of an- 
chorin’ now in about half an hour.” 

“What’s he goin’ to anchor for?” Dick asked, 
having just come out of his bunk. 

Ezra repeated what Tommy had said to him dur- 
ing the night, and Dick was highly indignant that any 
such idea should be entertained. 

“ If we’re to get two hundred dollars for towin’ 
that yacht, surely we can afford to attend to the work, 
instead of keepin’ them foolin’ ’round while we try 
to buy lobsters. He shan’t do anythin’ of the kind.” 

“ Now look here, Dick,” Ezra said soothingly. 
“ I threshed all that out with Tommy last night, an’ 
believe he’s in the right. It don’t make any differ- 
ence how much we are to get for this job of towin’, 
because the people on the yacht were perfectly willin’ 
to pay it. We agreed Tommy should have his way 
for the balance of the cruise, an’ can’t afford to go 
back on our word.” 

Dick was still arguing the matter when Tommy 
could be heard shouting from the wheel-house to 
those on the yacht: 

“ Ahoy there! We’ve got to haul up off Matin- 
icus for half or three-quarters of an hour. Have a 
man standin’ ready to let go your anchor when I 
give the word, for if each craft isn’t in line, there’s a 
chance we pick up the hawser with our screw.” 

“ Ay, ay, sir,” came back promptly from the Elec- 
tra, and Ezra said to his partner with a laugh : 


THE CRUISE OF THE PHCEBE 243 

“ Tommy’s swellin’ has done those sailors on the 
yacht considerable good, as it seems to me. They 
acted like a shiftless set when he tackled them; but 
now see how thoroughly awake they are to their du- 
ties.” 

Dick made no reply, and that he had been con- 
vinced Tommy could be trusted to run the Phoebe, 
was shown when he promptly answered Master 
DowniAg’s call for some one to stand by the smack’s 
anchor. 

“Let go there on the yacht!” Tommy shouted, 
giving the signal for half-speed to Ezra, and when 
the Phoebe had straightened up the hawsers, he or- 
dered Dick to drop the anchor. 

“ Now then, you fellers can kind’er put things 
ship-shape, while I go ashore an’ pick up what lob- 
sters they’ve got for us.” 

“ Dick or I’ll go with you, for we are not minded 
you shall do quite all the work. Tommy.” 

Master Downing protested that he was well able 
to do such “ chores ” as were required aboard the 
smack; but Ezra stood firm this time, and Dick was 
left in charge of the Phoebe. 

“ We’re going to catch ’em jest at the right time 
of tide,” Master Downing said in a tone of satisfac- 
tion as they neared the cove. “ There’s no use 
talkin’, Ezra, if a feller keeps pluggin’ right at his 
work, an’ don’t go whifflin’ here an’ there an’ mindin’ 
everybody’s business, he generally comes out right 
end up. Now I’m allowin’ if you and Dick had had 
your way with the swells what are out in their fancy 
yacht, you’d have been so tender-hearted that all 


244 


THE CRUISE OF THE PHOEBE 


hands of us would have been down ’round Swans 
island by this time. We didn’t fool any, but kept on 
movin’, an’ here we are just at the very minute when 
we want to strike our customers.” 

‘‘ Go ahead. Tommy,” Ezra said laughingly. 
“ You’re doin’ well enough, an’ if the time ever comes 
that you have a smack of your own, I’m pityin’ those 
who have to work under you.” 

“ They’ll earn their wages, an’ don’t you forget 
it,” and then Master Downing raised his voice as he 
saw one of the islanders coming down to the shore : 
“ Ahoy, my hearties I How about lobsters this 
mornin’ ? ” 

“ Oh, it’s you, is it; the baby lobster traders, eh? 
That’s what we’ve allowed to call you down this way, 
seein’s you ain’t more than babies at the business.” 

“ We’re old enough to put aboard what you’ve 
saved for us, if so be you kept your word,” Tommy 
replied cheerily. 

“We are holdin’ the catch for you all right, my 
son; but what’s goin’ on? Business so good you 
have to take two smacks instead of one? ” 

“ Oh, that’s nothin’ but one of them toy yachts 
what come down here for the summer. We had 
to pick her up ’cause she’d got disabled; towin’ her 
into Portland, that’s all,” and Tommy spoke as if 
that which had been done was no more than an in- 
cident in a lobster buyer’s life, instead of an event. 
“We don’t want to fool ’round here any longer’n we 
can help, an’ if it so be you’re ready to do business, 
we’d like to kind’er hustle.” 

“ It strikes me you’re always hustlin’, ain’t you ? ” 


THE CRUISE OF THE PHCEBE 245 

the man said good humoredly, as the bow of the 
Phoebe’s dory grated on the sand. 

“ Well, that’s what we’ve got to do if we’re goin’ 
to make a success of this business, so how long be- 
fore we can wind up the trade with you ? ” 

“ What are you payin’ ? ” 

“ Same old price. Give you more if I could, but 
it don’t seem as though the market would stand it.” 

“ All right, my son. We’ve said you should have 
our catch providin’ you come in season, an’ we Ma- 
tinicus folks don’t go back on our word. I’ll get my 
end of the work done up in short order.” 

“ Then we’ll pull back to the smack, for the rest 
of the folks will see what’s goin’ on I reckon, by the 
time you get through,” Tommy replied, and five min- 
utes later he and his employer were on board the 
Phoebe where, within the next hour, they took aboard 
three hundred and twenty-five lobsters. 

“ How many do you figger we’ve got in the well 
now?” Tommy asked when the fishermen had de- 
parted and the lads were ready to continue the voy- 
age. 

“ Seventeen hundred an’ twenty-nine,” Ezra re- 
plied. 

“ An’ you fellers wanted to go home with less’n 
a thousand in the well. Now we’ve got some excuse 
for puttin’ in at Westbay. Folks can’t say we come 
back ’cause we got scared of Eliphalet Barnes, seein’s 
we’ve got pretty nigh a full cargo, an’ it hasn’t cost 
us but one day’s time to get that extra hundred or 
more. ’Cordin’ to my idee, that comes pretty near 
bein’ the way to run the lobster business. Of course 


246 THE CRUISE OF THE PHCEBE 

them as are out pleasure huntin’ can loaf along to 
suit themselves ; but fellers what have got to make a 
livin’, same’s I have, can’t do very much idlin’, else 
they’ll run down to the heel mighty quick.” 

Then Master Downing hailed the lookout on the 
yacht, sternly commanding him to stand by to weigh 
anchor, and just at that, moment one of the pleasure 
seekers came out of the cabin. 

“Still at it, are you, my bold fisherman?” he 
cried in what might well have been either a mocking 
or a cheery tone. “ Still showing our crew what it 
is to be under the command of a thoroughly good 
sailor?” 

“ Well, I’m trying to make ’em earn the wages I 
reckon you’re payin’, but they seem dreadful loath to 
do it.” 

“ Do you have any objections to telling me why 
we’re lying at anchor, instead of keeping on toward 
Portland accordin’ to your contract?” 

“ No sir; you’re welcome to anythin’ I know my- 
self,” and Tommy waved his hand in a patronizing 
manner. “ There was a little jag of lobsters waitin’ 
for us here, an’ I allowed that we couldn’t afford to 
go past without pickin’ ’em up.” 

“ Combining business with pleasure, eh? Or per- 
haps I should say business and business ; but I thought 
we had the first call on your services.” 

“ Well, as nigh as I can make out the trade was 
that if we should pull you into Portland we got two 
hundred dollars for the job, an’ there was nothin’ 
said ’bout haulin’ up to give our motor a chance to 
breathe. We haven’t got through towin’ of you yet. 


THE CRUISE OF THE PHCEBE 


247 


an’ when we let go of that ’ere hawser, you’ll be 
ready to anchor inside Bug light.” 

“Where’s Bug light?” the yachtman asked with 
a laugh. 

“ Just about as nigh the city of Portland as you 
can get unless you tie up at one of the docks. Now 
if there ain’t anythin’ else I can post you up on, 
we’ll make a start.” 

“ How many times do you intend to stop between 
here and Portland? ” 

“ Nary once if we have good luck. It’s a case of 
boomin’ her right along from now on.” 

“ How many lobsters did you take on board 
here ? ” 

“ A little more’n three hundred.” 

“ Are they good ones? ” 

“ You can bet they are, else we wouldn’t bought 
’em.” 

“ What are they worth ? ” 

“ Well if we was goin’ to peddle ’em, I’d say 
forty cents apiece.” 

“ I’ll take ten at that price, and send a man aboard 
to get them.” 

In the cuddy stood Dick and Ezra their faces crim- 
soned with shame because Master Downing, after 
insisting upon receiving two hundred dollars for tow- 
ing the yacht, should put such an exorbitant price 
upon his wares. 

“ I believe I shall wring that fellow’s neck for 
him ! ” Ezra said angrily. “ The idea of sellin^ 
lobsters to those yachtsmen after we are countin’ on 
receivin’ so much money for a little towin’.” 


248 THE CRUISE OF THE PHCEBE 

“ I could easily forgive Tommy if he had named 
somewhere near a decent price; but to charge forty 
cents ! ” Ezra exclaimed. 

Master Downing came below just in time to hear 
this last remark, and said in a tone of surprise. 

“ What are you fellers kickin’ about ? Did you 
go into the lobster business for your health, or to 
make a dollar or two? Here’s this ’ere crowd of 
pleasure hunters with more money’n they know what 
to do with, gettin’ a chance to buy lobsters for about 
what they’d pay for ’em in Boston. Yes, I reckon 
you’d have given ’em dead away, an’ been four dol- 
lars out by it! That ain’t my style of workin’. 
You’ve got considerable of a profit on what we’re 
goin’ to send aboard the yacht, an’ if that goes agin 
your grain, it strikes me the best thing you can do is 
to pay the full market price to the fishermen, ’cause 
it’s clean case that you don’t want to turn a dollar. 
Now then we’re ready to go, an’ you can start her 
up jest as soon as I pull them ten lobsters out’er the 
well.” 

Five minutes later, so expeditiously did Tommy 
work, the Phoebe was under way once more with 
the Electra coming steadily behind her, and in the 
cabin the partners, all their ill temper gone, were 
laughing because Master Downing had insisted on 
getting the cash for his lobsters before he delivered 
them. 

During all this day Tommy insisted upon standing 
at the wheel, despite everything Ezra could say 
against it. He did indeed come below when the 


THE CRUISE OF THE PHCEBE 


249 


meals were served; but it was only to eat the food as 
rapidly as possible that he might get back to the 
wheel-house without delay, for there appeared to be 
the belief in his mind that nobody but he could 
steer the Phoebe to a successful conclusion of the 
voyage. 

And the voyage was concluded successfully, 
whether Master Downing or the Phoebe should be 
credited with the performance. It was not yet nine 
o’clock in the evening when Master Downing came 
up into the inner harbor, swinging the Phoebe around 
in order to straighten the Electra out in a good moor- 
ing-place, gave the word to cast off the hawser, and 
then signalled for the smack to be backed down 
alongside the yacht. 

“ I am allowin’ the job has been done,” Tommy 
said, standing with his head out of the pilot-house 
window. ‘‘ An’ we haven’t spent any too much time 
in the doing of it.” 

‘‘ You’re right, my lad,” one of the yachtsmen 
said, for all the party were in the cockpit of their 
dainty little craft. “ You have fairly earned your 
money, and here it is, unless you feel that your dig- 
nity will suffer by coming for it.” 

The man was holding out a number of bank notes 
as he spoke, while the others watched curiously to 
see what the inflated little captain of the smack would 
do. 

“ I’n^ reckonin’ I can afford to lose my dignity for 
the sake of gettin’ hold of two hundred dollars,” 
Tommy said with a laugh as he clambered on board 


250 THE CRUISE OF THE PHCEBE 

the Electra, and the gentleman who had previously 
spoken, instead of at once delivering up the money, 
said: 

“ Tell me your name, young man. It might be 
that I would like to engage a master for a yacht, and 
young though you are, I believe I would be willing 
to entrust any ordinary sized craft to your keeping.” 

“ Well, that’s where you’d be makin’ a big mis- 
take, Mister,” Tommy replied frankly. “ I don’t 
know much of anythin’ but the lobster business, an’ 
that I ain’t got down quite as fine as I might.” 

“ Have you ever done anything else to earn 
money? ” 

“ That’s all I ever had a chance to do. You see 
I’m only hired on this smack. I don’t run her my- 
self.” 

“ Indeed! ” one of the men interrupted. “ I had 
an idea last night that you not only owned her, but 
this yacht as well.” 

“ Well, you see the fact of it was. Mister, some- 
body had to get a hustle on when we took you in 
tow, else you wouldn’t have been here now, an’ there 
didn’t seem to be anybody who could do it but me.” 

“ Where do you live ? ” 

“ Well, I suppose I live aboard this smack,” 
Tommy said hesitatingly. “ You see I ain’t stocked 
up on homes very rich. I did hang out with Abel 
Saunders down to Isle au Haut; but the fellers what 
have gone inter the lobster-buyin’ business gave me 
a chance to work for ’em, an’ — Well, come right 
down to facts, I don’t live anywhere.” 

“ See here, my son,” the yachtsman said as he gave 


THE CRUISE OF THE PHCEBE 251 

the money into Tommy’s hands, and now speaking 
seriously. “ I have left my card with that money, 
and when the lobster business is over for the season, 
as I suppose it will be when winter comes. I’m asking 
you to write telling me if you would like a position 
of any kind, and what. I believe that with half a 
chance you would make quite a man.” 

“I don’t know about that, sir; but I am telling 
you the truth, that I’d like to try.” 

“ Well, when you’re ready send me a letter, and 
it isn’t impossible that you and I may see eaJch other 
sometime in the future.” 

Tommy hung in the wind a few seconds, as if 
doubtful whether the interview was at an end, and 
then with a quick jerk of the head which was intended 
as a bow, he went aboard the Phoebe, stopping at the 
cuddy companion to hand the money to the partners, 
who had been careful to keep out of sight, after 
which he said briskly : 

“ Now then, if you fellers want to make Westbay 
in time to get a little sleep before mornin’, you’d bet- 
ter be turnin’ that screw. Good-night, you people on 
the yacht I” 

“ Good-night, captain ! ” came back from half a 
dozen voices as the Phoebe darted ahead, sending 
up tiny jets of spray from her bow, and in the cuddy 
Ezra and Dick, ashamed of themselves for being 
ashamed of their temporary captain, were congratu- 
lating each other upon the success of the cruise. 

“ It’s a big thing that’s been done, all owin’ to 
Tommy,” Ezra said emphatically, determined that 
Master Downing should have his full share of the 


252 THE CRUISE OF THE PHCEBE 

credit. “ Without him we would have come back 
with less than a thousand lobsters in the well, an’ 
shown to the people at home that we’d been fright- 
ened by Eliphalet Barnes. Now we’ve got nearly a 
full cargo, an’ have made two hundred dollars with 
but very little cost of labor.” 

“ You are forgettin’ that four dollars Tommy 
got for the ten lobsters he sold the yachtman,” Dick 
said laughingly. “ I have come to believe since yes- 
terday that he deserves an equal share with us in this 
business, an’ if you say the word we’ll make the style 
of this concern Upton, Marshall & Company.” 

“ Indeed I do say it! ” Ezra replied as if highly 
pleased, and stepping to the speaking-tube he shouted : 

“ Say, Tommy, we’ve taken you in as a partner. 
You now belong to the firm of Upton, Marshall & 
Co.” 

“Oh, I do, eh?” Master Downing replied as if 
in bewilderment. “ Well, say, does that knock off 
the five dollars a week?” 

“ Of course you can’t be a member of the firm, 
an’ be paid a salary at the same time ; but you are to 
have a full third of all the profits.” 

“ Me? A third of what you fellers are makin’ ? ” 

“ Of course. You are an equal partner.” 

“ Say, you ain’t foolin’ me, or anythin’ of that 
kind, are you?” 

“ No, it’s a straight thing. We have just de- 
cided that you are entitled to get as much out of this 
business as either of us, an’ from this on we are to 
share and share alike.” 

While one might have counted twenty there was 


THE CRUISE OF THE PHCEBE 253 


no reply to this statement, and then came the words : 

“ Say, I haven’t begun to work yet. Talk about 
my gettin’ a third of all the money you fellers have 
been makin’ I If we don’t hump her up after this 
it’ll be because my name ain’t Tommy 1 ” 


CHAPTER XIII 


SETTLING ACCOUNTS 

The Phoebe was made fast to the pier in front of 
Marshall & Jordan’s warehouse in Westbay shortly 
after midnight, and the tired boys crept into their 
bunks triumphantly happy despite the weariness 
which weighted heavily every limb. 

Master Downing would have talked of his “ great 
luck ” in having been admitted to partnership, or 
discussed the possibility of making a “ pot of money ” 
before the season closed, but that Ezra and Dick pos- 
itively refused to listen, the latter saying sleepily and 
impatiently : 

“ I wouldn’t stay out of my bunk a minute longer 
if you could tell me where to find a cargo of gold 
dollars, for I’m even more tired than on the night we 
towed the Phoebe around Quoddy Head.” 

Within two minutes after having said this he was 
breathing heavily in slumber, as also was Ezra, and 
Tommy could do no less than follow the example set 
by his partners, unless he was minded to talk to the 
motor, which would not be very satisfactory.. 

However, the new partner made up for the time 
thus lost by arousing his companions before the new 
day had fully dawned, and when Dick grumblingly 
asked what he expected to gain by thus “ getting up 

254 


THE CRUISE OF THE PHGEBE 255 

in the night ” when they were in port, he replied 
calmly, at the same moment beginning to build a fire 
in the cook-stove : 

“ It’s no reason why we should jest the same as 
waste a whole day, even if we are at the dock. 
There are the lobsters to be packed — ” 

“We can’t do that till the shops are open, for we 
haven’t more than five barrels in the store-house, an’ 
it won’t be possible to buy any more for two or 
three hours yet,” Ezra said sleepily, rolling over as 
if to take another nap.” 

“You’ve got to eat breakfast, haven’t you?” 
Master Downing asked innocently. “ It strikes me 
that it’s time to overhaul the motor, seein’s how it 
has been runnin’ pretty hard for the last forty-eight 
hours without so much as havin’ one stroke done in 
the way of cleanin’. I’m allowin’ it must be 
gummed up mighty bad.” 

“ All that can be done in half an hour,” and Ezra 
covered his head with the blanket to shut out from 
his eyes the light of the fire. 

“ Then this is jest about the half-hour in which to 
do it,” Tommy persisted. “ It’ll take quite a spell 
to get breakfast, if we count on havin’ much of any- 
thin’ to eat, an’, besides, I’m reckonin’ this ’ere stove 
will heat the cuddy a bit too hot for comfortable 
sleepin’, after I once get the fire goin’.” 

The boys were convinced of the truth of this last 
remark, for already was it possible to feel the heat, 
and Dick cried irritably as he sprang from the bunk, 

“ Look here. Tommy, there’s no question but that 
you’re a mighty good hand on a craft like this, for 


256 THE CRUISE OF THE PHCEBE 

you surely know how to work, an’ keep it up all the 
time. We’ve proved that we believe it, by givin’ 
you an equal share in the business; but it strikes me 
that now has come the time when there should be a 
few rules laid down, otherwise you’ll have Ezra an’ 
me worn to skeletons. You showed yesterday what 
could be done in the way of takin’ command, an’ 
we’re not minded to have that thing happen again. 
You’re not to ride over us as you did then.” 

“ If it hadn’t been for my hustlin’ you wouldn’t 
have had two hundred extra dollars in that ’ere bag, 
an’ the Phoebe wouldn’t be here at the dock in West- 
bay,” Master Downing replied placidly. 

“ I’m agreein’ to all that ; hut at the same time 
it’s dead certain we can’t keep the pace you’re set- 
tin’,” Dick said with a smile, for he was rapidly 
getting the best of his temper. 

“What is it you want?” 

“To have it understood that you’re not to rush 
the work too fast, at least, not until Ezra an’ I’ve 
got broken in to it. Then again, you’re not to bully 
as you did when we took the yacht in tow. We’re 
willin’ to obey orders when it’s certain, as it was then, 
that you know best how to do the job. I don’t like 
the idea of bein’ called a lubber.” 

“ Then I’ll knock off on that part of it; but when 
a feller is tryin’ to get a big craft like the Electra in 
tow, he has to rave a good bit to keep things movin’. 
I reckon I did bear down a little rough, ’cause I 
thought it would be the last chance I’d have, an’ I 
was bound to make the most of it.” 

“ You did bear down all right; but now you’ve had 


THE CRUISE OF THE PHCEBE 257 

your fun, an’ if we should come alongside of another 
yacht, don’t try to make it so apparent that Ezra an’ 
I have just come out of a farm-yard,” and now Dick 
was really laughing. “ You are one of the partners, 
an’ have equal rights with us. I’ll go even further 
than that, an’ say we’re willin’ you should act as cap- 
tain, for I surely believe you know more about the 
business than three or four like us; but what we’re 
askin’ for is a fair deal. Tommy.” 

“ An’ that’s what you shall have,” Master Down- 
ing replied, as if it was in his power to refuse the 
request. “ Then it’s a sure thing that I’m to be 
cap’en right along? ” 

“We are not allowin’ that you’re to stay in the 
wheel-house, an’ put on frills; but when it comes to 
sayin’ where we shall go, or how the work ought to 
be done, we’ll obey orders. However, you’re to re- 
member this: While the smack is in port, same as 
now, an’ we’re pretty near tired to death, you’re not 
goin’ to rout us out before daybreak by buildin’ a 
smotherin’ fire in that cook-stove.” 

“ Do you count on layin’ at the dock with a well 
full of lobsters till long about nine o’clock in the 
mornin’ ? ” Master Downing asked seriously, and 
Ezra replied, as soon as it was possible to check his 
mirth sufficiently to admit of speaking: 

“ We’ll agree to turn out at sunrise.” 

“ I’ll remember that part of it,” Master Downing 
said, and then he relapsed into silence while one might 
have counted thirty, after which he asked abruptly: 

“ How much do you reckon would be coming for 
my share of these two trips? ” 


258 THE CRUISE OF THE PHCEBE 

“ That’s what we can’t tell until after gettin’ the 
account of sales from Dick’s father,” Ezra said as 
he took from the drawer beneath the table a small 
book in which he had kept a record of the several 
transactions. “ If you want some kind of an idea I 
can give it to you; but how about goin’ to work? 
Can you afford to spend the time in lookin’ over 
these figures?” 

“ I’ll keep right along cookin’, an’ you can do the 
talkin’; then we’ll get ahead just as fast as if you 
laid still an’ watched me,” and Tommy made a great 
pretense of working rapidly as if to show that no 
time would be lost if Ezra gave an account of the 
business already done. 

“Well, here goes; but of course a good deal of 
it’s guess-work,” and Ezra read from his book. 
“We bought two thousand an’ forty-nine lobsters on 
the first cruise, an’ allowed that they’d average a 
pound an’ a half apiece; which is what they will 
really go, if not a little more. Now the weight of 
that number should be three thousand an’ seventy- 
three pounds, for which we paid two hundred, forty- 
five dollars and eighty-four cents, or if you should 
figure it at twelve cents apiece, an’ not take care of 
the fractions, it would amount to four cents more. 
Now I assume that the provisions cost us three dol- 
lars on that cruise; gasoline five dollars; freight on 
the lobsters seven dollars; twenty-five barrels at ten 
cents each would be two dollars an’ a half, an’ the 
lobsters we ate cost twelve cents — ” 

“ Are you going to figure it down as fine as that? ” 
Dick asked with a laugh. 


THE CRUISE OF THE PHCEBE 259 ' 

“ Well, that’s what we’ve got to do, if we’re goin’ 
to keep a strict account. Your father will want us to 
figure within twelve cents, I reckon.” 

“All right; go ahead! What does she make?” 
Tommy asked impatiently. 

“ I reckon the expense at seventeen dollars an’ 
sixty-two cents; add that to two hundred forty-five 
dollars an’ eighty-four cents, an’ the cargo stands us 
two hundred sixty-three dollars an’ forty-three cents. 
We were to get fifteen cents a pound, an’ fifteen 
times three thousand an’ seventy-three is four hun- 
dred, sixty dollars an’ ninety-five cents. Subtract 
what the lobsters cost from what you allow Mr. Mar- 
shall has already received, an’ it leaves us a profit of 
one hundred, ninety-seven dollars an’ forty-nine 
cents — ” 

“ Jimminy crickets 1 Does she come out as big 
as that! What would I have thought of havin’ a 
share in that big lump of money when I was livin’ 
with Abel Saunders ! ” Master Downing cried as he 
came within an inch of dropping the frying-pan in 
which he was cooking the bacon. 

“ Yes; but that doesn’t all belong to us,” Ezra re- 
plied. “ We agreed to pay one-quarter of the earn- 
ings to ’Squire Merrill. Then there’s that ‘ easy ’ 
twenty dollars from the sick man, which makes the 
earnings two hundred, seventeen dollars an’ forty- 
nine cents. That would give as the boat’s share 
fifty- four dollars an’ thirty-seven cents, leavin’ each 
of us the same amount.” 

“Well, say, I’m rich already! Fifty-four dollars 
for my share! Why, I might have staid with Abel 


26 o the cruise of THE PHOEBE 


Saunders five years, an’ I wouldn’t have seen half 
that much money I ” 

“ You may not see any of it now,” Dick said 
laughing boisterously. “ Don’t forget that father 
hired a lawyer to help us out of the scrape which 
earnin’ ‘ easy money ’ got us into. When that’s 
paid we may find ourselves in debt on the first 
cruise.” 

“ I don’t believe it can be anywhere near as bad 
as that,” Ezra said gravely. “ At all events we 
won’t count those chickens. Now if you want to hear 
the way I have figured on the second cruise, with 
a good deal of guess-work to it, of course, why here 
she is: We bought seventeen hundred an’ twenty- 
nine lobsters on this cruise, an’ sold to the yacht peo- 
ple ten. Now the way I’ve figured it is to subtract 
that ten from the first number for the sake of easy 
reckonin’, which leaves us seventeen hundred an’ nine- 
teen ; or twenty-five hundred an’ seventy-eight pounds 
that cost us eight cents a pound, makin’ two hundred, 
six dollars, an’ twenty-four cents. I’ve allowed that 
we’ll need nineteen barrels to send ’em away in ; that 
makes one dollar an’ ninety cents. I’ve guessed that 
we used up five dollars worth of provisions, an’ eight 
dollars worth of gasoline, with the freight at seven 
dollars. That makes twenty-one, ninety. Then 
there are those ten we sold the yacht that cost one- 
twenty, so it brings the cost of our cargo to two hun- 
dred, twenty-nine dollars, an’ thirty-four cents. Now 
allowin’ we get fifteen cents a pound for ’em, we 
shall have three hundred, eighty-six dollars, an’ sev- 


THE CRUISE OF THE PHCEBE 261 


enty cents, which gives us a profit of one hundred, 
fifty-seven dollars, an’ thirty-six cents — ” 

“What about the lobsters we sold the yacht?” 
Tommy asked jealously. 

“ If you wait a minute you’ll see. I said the 
profit on the lot which we sent away will be one 
hundred, fifty-seven dollars, an’ thirty-six cents. 
Now we must add to that the two hundred we got 
for towin’, an’ the four the yachtsmen paid us. That 
gives a clean profit of three hundred, sixty-one dol- 
lars, an’ thirty-six cents. ’Squire Merrill’s share for 
the boat is ninety dollars an’ thirty-four cents, leavin’ 
that same amount cornin’ to each of us. So, if I’ve 
guessed rightly, we made on the first cruise fifty-four 
dollars an’ thirty-seven cents apiece, an’ on this 
cruise ninety dollars an’ thirty-four cents, givin’ as 
our earnings for the two trips one hundred, forty- 
four dollars, an’ seventy-one cents apiece, with the 
lawyer still to be paid.” 

“ Gee Willikens ! Unless that lawyer is a reg-lar 
shark I’ll bet there’s more cornin’ to me out’er this 
trip than Abel Saunders could raise in six months’ 
time ! ” Tommy cried. “ When things are settled 
down so’s we can square up for the money you fel- 
lers borrowed, an’ we get the lawyer paid. I’m goin’ 
to buy a whole suit of store clothes. I’d like to know 
how it feels to have sich things on. Then I’m 
goin’—” 

Tommy did not not have an opportunity to go 
into the details of what he would do with his share 
of the earnings, for at that moment a footstep was 


262 THE CRUISE OF THE PHCEBE 


heard on the deck, and Mr. Marshall looked in 
through the companion-hatch. 

“ Well, boys, been doing any more smuggling 
since I saw you last?” 

As a matter of course he expected to receive a 
negative reply to his question; but much to his sur- 
prise Dick replied with no little of shame-facedness : 

“That’s what we have been doin’, sir; but Mr. 
Carter got there in time to see that it was only a 
plot which Eliphalet Barnes had laid for us.” 

“ So you have got that precious Mr. Barnes in 
jail at last, have you?” 

“ That’s just what we haven’t, sir. Barnes gave 
Mr. Carter the slip very neatly, an’ one is chasin’ 
the other now.” 

Then, when Mr. Marshall had come into the 
cabin, Dick gave him a detailed account of this 
second cruise, concluding by saying much to Master 
Downing’s delight: 

“ If it hadn’t been for Tommy we shouldn’t have 
taken in a very large cargo, nor would we have run 
the risk of tryin’ to tow the yacht, so it can be set 
down that what was earned on this second cruise has 
been by him. Ezra an’ I believe he ought to be 
made a partner in the business, an’ we have prom- 
ised him as much.” 

“ I think you have done well, my son. From 
what I have already seen of the young gentleman, 
he will keep matters moving in proper shape.” 

“ An’ we’ll have to dance to his pipin’, or he’ll 
do as he did this mornin’ — build a fire to roast 
us out,” Dick replied laughingly, and added seri- 


THE CRUISE OF THE PHCEBE 263 

ously, “ How much do you suppose we’ll have to 
pay the lawyer, father ? ” 

“ That I can’t say, my boy, for it is impossible 
to guess how much more trouble you may have in re- 
gard to the Chinaman.” 

“ What do you fancy it may be? ” 

“ Perhaps fifty dollars.” 

An expression of relief came over the faces of 
the boys, and Mr. Marshall asked with a smile : 

“ What were you counting on being obliged to 
pay?” 

“ That’s what we didn’t know, sir; but Ezra was 
figurin’ up the profits on the two cruises, guessin’ 
pretty nearly at the expenses, an’ we were wonderin’ 
how much would be left after the lawyer was paid.” 

“At how much are you estimating the profits?” 

“ One hundred, forty-five dollars, an’ seventy-one 
cents for each share ! ” Dick cried triumphantly. “ I 
reckon ’Squire Merrill will think he made a good 
trade when he leased us the Phoebe for one-quarter 
of the earnings. He’s gettin’ nearly an hundred 
an’ fifty dollars for the use of her eight or nine 
days, to say nothin’ of what’s been done in the way 
of repairs. I wonder how much he reckons her 
worth? ” 

“ ’Squire Merrill doesn’t own the Phoebe,” Mr. 
Marshall said, speaking slowly as if the better to 
enjoy the surprise caused by the announcement, and 
Ezra cried in a tone of dismay: 

“ Then he sold out after agreein’ we might use 
her the whole season ! ” 

“ The sale of the Phoebe won’t make any differ- 


264 the cruise of THE PHCEBE 

ence in your bargain, save that it may work very 
much to your advantage,” Mr. Marshall replied. 
“ Believing that it was an excessive rental for the 
boat, in comparison with her value, I bantered 
’Squire Merrill to sell her outright, and he set the 
price at eleven hundred dollars, which I paid at 
once.” 

“Then you own the Phoebe, father?” Dick ex- 
claimed. 

“ Yes, she is my property, and you can run her 
on the same terms as those agreed upon with ’Squire 
Merrill, or you may pay the legal rate of interest 
for the use of the money, and on each cruise de- 
posit with me one-quarter of the earnings to go to- 
ward the purchase money. It is an opportunity for 
you to own her outright at the end of the season, 
providing you attend to business as well as you’ve 
begun, and do not make any more acquaintances of 
the same stamp as Mr. Barnes.” 

“ We’re to have a chance of buyin’ the boat, 
eh?” Tommy asked eagerly. “Well, see here, if 
that’s a fact why don’t we put in half our earnin’s, 
an’ save payin’ interest on what she costs? Let’s 
see, twice one forty-four is — two fours are eight, 
two fours are eight, two ones are two — two hundred 
an’ eighty-eight dollars. That would be payin’ 
more’n a quarter of the price in two weeks, an’ at the 
same time leave each of us a big pile.” 

“ You can pay for her as you please, providing 
you set aside not less than one full quarter of the 
earnings. Mr. Jordan and I have decided that you 
shall open an account with the firm ; we have charged 


THE CRUISE OF THE PHCEBE 265 

you with five hundred dollars cash advanced, and 
have received from the first lot of lobsters sent to 
Boston four hundred, sixty dollars, and ninety-five 
cents. Of course you will need money for the next 
cruise, therefore in payment of the loan we shall de- 
duct from the amount sent by the Boston parties, 
only the first two hundred and fifty dollars, leaving 
you at liberty to draw on us for as much more as 
may be needed to buy a third cargo.” 

The possibility of owning one-third of such a 
craft as the Phoebe, and the knowledge that he had 
already earned what seemed to him like a very large 
amount of money, caused Master Downing to for- 
get entirely his duties as cook. The pork was al- 
lowed to remain in the frying-pan on the stove until 
it was burned to a cinder, and only when the pun- 
gent smoke literally filled the cuddy, did he realize 
that visions of future wealth were making him ex- 
travagantly reckless regarding the present. 

“ Well, if I go on this way burnin’ up good pork 
that’s worth twelve cents a pound. I’m reckonin’ I 
shan’t stay in the concern very long,” he said rue- 
fully as he set about preparing breakfast anew. 
“ When a feller has made a hundred an’ forty-four 
dollars in two short cruises like we’ve had, a pound 
of twelve-cent pork don’t seem to amount to much 
of anythin’, an’ yet eight of ’em come pretty near 
standin’ for a dollar.” 

“ That’s the way to figure it, my boy ! ” Mr. 
Marshall said approvingly. “ The old saying that 
if you take care of the cents the dollars will look 
after themselves, is a true one. But when the cook 


266 THE CRUISE OF THE PHCEBE 


of a lobster smack doesn’t indulge in any more mis- 
chief than the waste of a pound of pork, especially 
at such a time as this, he may be forgiven. Dick, 
you and Ezra had better go to your own homes for 
breakfast, and there is no question but that your 
mothers want to see you. Tommy can go with 
either of you, or cook his own meal here.” 

“ I reckon I’ll stay where I am,” Master Down- 
ing replied thoughtfully. ‘‘ You see I don’t look 
no ways fit to go inter a decent house; but you wait 
till I get some real store clothes, an’ then I’ll be 
willin’ to go to breakfast with anybody.” 

As a matter of fact, Ezra had been very eager 
to go home and acquaint his mother with the good 
news; but did not believe himself at liberty to do 
so until Mr. Marshall made the suggestion, where- 
upon he hurried away at the top of his speed, Dick 
and his father following at a more leisurely pace, 
leaving Master Downing in sole charge of the 
Phoebe. 

“ I’ll get enough to eat; but ain’t goin’ to waste 
sich a terrible lot of time cookin’,” Tommy said to 
himself. “ What I want is to go up inter the pilot- 
house an’ look ’round on my property. Gee 1 
Don’t I wish Abel Saunders knew how much money 
I’ve made! He’d jest about turn green! I did 
think catchin’ lobsters was a pretty fair kind of busi- 
ness, but buyin’ ’em knocks it endways. One hun- 
dred an’ forty-five dollars belongin’ to Tommy 
Downing Esquire! Say, that’s goin’ some, ain’t it? 
If things keep on this way I can buy the whole of 
Isle au Haut, if I want to. But I don’t! I’m go- 


THE CRUISE OF THE PHCEBE 267 

in’ to have a smack all to myself some day, an’ it 
ain’t no ways certain I shan’t have a reg’lar store 
to go with it. I could carry a load of stuff down to 
the islands, an’ trade it off for lobsters; that would 
give me a profit both ways. Guess I won’t cook 
anythin’, anyhow! A couple of pilot-breads will 
do for me, an’ I’ll go up on deck so’s folks can 
see what Tommy Downing Esquire is like 1 ” 

Then Master Downing, pacing fore and aft in 
view of such of the Westbay citizens as were astir at 
that early hour, burst into melody: 

“ I’se bound to run all day, 

I’se bound to run all night; 

I’ve bet my money on a bob-tailed nag. 
Somebody’s bettin’ on the bay.” 

A thoroughly enjoyable hour did “ Tomas Down- 
ing Esquire ” spend building air castles which were 
not so shadowy but that realization was possible, 
and it is safe to say that if any party of yachtsmen, 
finding their craft disabled, had asked the young 
gentleman for a tow, they would have been treated 
to a greater flow of emphatic language than was in- 
dulged in on the night when the Electra’s hawser 
was made fast to the Phoebe. 

Then Ezra and Dick came on board, and the 
serious work of the day was begun. 

To pack the cargo properly, mark the barrels ac- 
cording to the directions which Mr. Marshall’s 
partner sent aboard, refill the gasoline tanks, re- 
plenish the stores, give the motor an overhauling, 
and set the Phoebe to rights generally, was indeed 
a full day’s work. 


268 THE CRUISE OF THE PHCEBE 


When it had been done the partners were tired 
enough to look upon the bunks in the cabin with 
longing eyes, and yet it had been decided that Ezra 
and Dick should spend the night at their homes, 
Tommy being more than willing to remain alone. 

“ We’ll be back by daylight,” Ezra said as they 
went over the rail leaving Master Downing monarch 
of all he surveyed, and that young gentleman re- 
plied almost threateningly: 

“ You’ll be here by that time or I’ll know the 
reason why! If we’re to start out on another 
cruise, the screw of this ’ere craft must be turnin’ 
as soon as it’s light enough to see our way down 
the harbor.” 

“All right. Tommy. Don’t fret yourself; we’ll 
be here 1 ” Ezra cried merrily, and then Master 
Downing had another opportunity of building air 
castles, or of gloating over the good fortune which 
had come upon him so suddenly. 

Mr. Marshall had visited the Phoebe during the 
afternoon while the boys were working industriously, 
to explain that in the opinion of the attorney who 
had been engaged to look after the matter, there 
was little need for them to borrow trouble concern- 
ing the outcome of the Chinese affair, save that it was 
probable they would be called upon to spend some 
little time ashore in event of Mr. Barnes’ capture; 
but until that had been effected they need fear no 
interruption to their business. 

True to their agreement, Dick and Ezra came 
over the rail of the Phoebe as soon as the first gray 
light of a new day could be seen in the eastern sky. 


THE CRUISE OF THE PHOEBE 269 

and early though the hour was, they found that their 
partner had already done a goodly amount of work. 
Breakfast was ready and on the table; all the haws- 
ers save one had been cast off, and everything was 
in order for a quick departure. 

“ I reckon we’d better eat breakfast while we’re 
under way,” Master Downing said in a business-like 
tone as he cast off the last remaining hawser. “ It 
won’t pay to loaf here now that there’s light enough 
to see our way past the shippin’ in the harbor.” 

“That’s all right. Tommy, drive her! She’s 
nothin’ but a lobster smack, so shove her through 1 ” 
Dick said laughingly as Ezra went into the cuddy 
to start the motor. “ If you live long enough. I’m 
countin’ on bearin’ you spoken of as the hardest 
driver to be found on the Maine coast, an’ that’s 
sayin’ considerable.” 

“ I reckon you won’t be disappointed there,” 
Master Downing replied as he stationed himself at 
the wheel. “If ever I have a crew of two fellers 
that can do half as much work as they ought’er. 
I’ll show folks what drivin’ is. Why, look here, 
Dick. S’posin’ we buckle right down to it, an’ 
don’t waste a minute of time day or night for this 
summer, see where we’d come out! It would be a 
clear case of ownin’ this smack, an’ havin’ dollars 
in the bank before the season’s over.” 

“ Do you allow that it would be necessary to sleep 
any?” 

“ Well, we might turn in now an’ then, when 
there wasn’t anythin’ else to do ; but I hold to it that 
a feller can keep his eyes open if there’s work enough 


270 THE CRUISE OF THE PHCEBE 

on hand to make him move ’round. We shan’t 
have any sich luck this cruise as we had last, ’cause 
disabled yachts with them on board as don’t know 
the value of money, ain’t to be picked up every day. 
Say, that was a great snap, eh? Two hundred dol- 
lars! Two hundred great, big, heavy dollars jest 
for towin’ that dandified yacht up here I How 
much cash are we takin’ with us this time? ” 

“ A little over three hundred dollars, I believe, 
was what Ezra got from the shop yesterday. At 
all events it’s enough to fill the well, providin’ we 
come across the goods, an’ father’s partner says that 
he believes lobsters will go up a little in price before 
we get back.” 

“ But we can’t afford to pay any more on the 
chances of what your father’s partner thinks,” 
Tommy said decidedly. “ Now if you’d got him 
to telegraph us at some of the towns along the coast 
where we’re likely to put in, that would be another 
matter.” 

“ I never thought of that,” Dick said ruefully. 
“ It might be a big advantage to us, especially if 
we should run across other smacks who wanted to 
fill their wells.” 

“ Yes, an’ that s somethin’ you’ve got to count 
on, for you’ll find plenty of ’em before we’re done 
with the business, an’ the feller what wants to bring 
in the biggest cargo without a chance of loss, has 
got to keep posted on the market price. It seems 
to me if I’d been ashore all night. I’d kind’er 
thought up sich things.” 

“ You had plenty of chance yesterday, I notice,” 


THE CRUISE OF THE PHOEBE 271 

Dick said laughingly, and then he went below for 
breakfast, finding Ezra already at the table, for the 
motor was running, as Master Upton declared, 
“ like a lady.” 

Ezra and Dick had expected that on this day, at 
least. Master Downing could think of, and talk of, 
nothing save his share in the lobster-buying business. 
They fancied that during every moment when he 
had an auditor, what might be done in the future 
would be his theme, and yet it was as if Tommy 
had forgotten entirely his good fortune, remember- 
ing only the fact of being aboard the Phoebe, where 
it was necessary to drive his partners as well as him- 
self in order that the greatest possible amount of 
work be performed in the shortest space of time. 

As soon as he had eaten breakfast Dick said to 
Ezra, believing he knew of an opportunity for 
sport : 

“ Now I’ll go into the pilot-house pretending I’ve 
come to relieve Tommy, an’ you’ll find that he won’t 
show himself here for breakfast, because of wantin’ 
to explain how he’s goin’ to spend his money. 
After his tongue has been runnin’ a while, you come 
up softly so’s to hear him. It will be great fun.” 

Then Dick did as he himself had suggested, and 
on entering the pilot-house was surprised to hear 
the junior partner of the concern say somewhat 
testily : 

“ Well, you couldn’t find anythin’ else to do be- 
low, I s’pose, or you wouldn’t have been here now ? ” 

“ If I’d known you were hungry I’d have hur- 
ried; but you had plenty of chance to eat before 


272 THE CRUISE OF THE PHOEBE 

we came abroad, an’ I didn’t fancy it made any dif- 
ference to you.” 

“ So far as eatin’ is concerned, that don’t count; 
but we’re out for work, an’ it strikes me it won’t pay 
to hang ’round the table longer than’s necessary.” 

“What’s to be done that’s so important?” Dick 
asked in surprise. 

“ I’ve never seen the time yet when a feller 
couldn’t find somethin’ to do aboard a craft of this 
size, an’ we want’er get inter shape before strikin’ 
Monhegan.” 

“ Are you goin’ to stop there this trip? ” 

“Sure; didn’t we get six hundred lobsters there 
the last time, an’ agreed to be back inside of ten 
days? You’ve got to keep your word in this busi- 
ness if you count on the fishermen savin’ their 
catch.” 

Then Master Downing went below where he spent 
not less than five full minutes eating, after which he 
stumped on deck, taking the helm despite Dick’s 
protests, on the ground that he was the only mem- 
ber of the party who could hold the craft steady 
enough to leave a straight wake behind. 

“ We ought’er be off Monhegan by noon, an’ 
then it’ll be a case of beginnin’ to put the third 
cargo aboard, so I reckon some of you better have 
dinner ready ’long ’bout eleven o’clock. Then we 
won’t have anythin’ to bother us till we get through 
with the fishermen there.” 

More than once during the forenoon did Mas- 
ter Downing whistle through the tube to ask if the 
Phoebe was being kept at her best pace, or to grumble 


THE CRUISE OF THE PHOEBE 273 

because she seemed to move sluggishly, until Ezra 
came so near losing his temper that he replied 
sharply : 

“ See here, old man, you can’t attend to both ends 
of this craft at the same time. She’s runnin’ as well 
as possible, an’ we who are below will look after this 
part of the business.” Then, as if regretting hav- 
ing spoken thus curtly, he added with a laugh, 
“ Look after yourself. Tommy, or you’ll break a 
blood vessel tryin’ to drive Dick an’ me.” 

“ I’ll have to break more’n one if I get you fel- 
lers to movin’ lively,” came grumblingly through 
the tube, and the conversation was at an end. 

The Phoebe arrived in due season at Monhegan, 
and although Tommy declared that she had been 
running at no more than half-speed, remarkably 
good time had been made. 

As a matter of course. Master Downing insisted 
on going ashore to look after the business, as if be- 
lieving his partners were incapable of so doing, and 
Ezra insisted on accompanying him. 

The first fisherman they saw was the old man 
whom the others had called Uncle ’Siah, and he 
greeted the boys right heartily. 

“ Glad to see you’re keepin’ your word, lads, an’ 
I’m hopin’ you made good money on the cruise, 
’cause there’s nothin’ that’ll spur boys up to work 
so much as seein’ somethin’ cornin’ out of it. Did 
you do fairly well? ” 

“Yes, sir; we made good wages,” Ezra replied, 
not caring to go into details, and Tommy asked im- 
patiently : 


274 the cruise of THE PHCEBE 

“ Got any lobsters for us this trip? ” 

“ Sure; I reckon you’ll scrape up about as many 
as you got the last time, if not a little more. What’s 
the news? ” 

“ Nothin’ in particular, sir,” Ezra replied, regret- 
ting now that he had not remembered to bring some 
newspapers. “ The fact is, we didn’t stop in port 
but one day, an’ hardly went ashore. I don’t sup- 
pose anythin’ has changed here?” 

“ Well, not to speak of, not to speak of. I al- 
low you didn’t meet Eliphalet Barnes while you was 
cornin’ down, eh?” 

“ He was at Eastport the last time we heard of 
him,” Ezra said carelessly, not fancying Uncle 
’Siah could give him anything startling in the way 
of information. 

“ Yes, but that must have been quite a spell ago, 
seein’s he went past here yesterday in one of them 
power dories, an’ give us a hail.” 

“ He went by here yesterday? ” Tommy repeated 
In mingled amazement and surprise. 

“Sartin; why not? Eliphalet’s a powerful 
traveler, he is, an’ it wouldn’t surprise me a little 
bit if that dory of his was loaded plumb to the 
gun’nle with drinkables that never paid a cent of 
duty.” 


CHAPTER XIV 


AGROUND 

When Uncle ’Siah gave what was surely startling 
information to the young lobster traders, the lads 
stood silent and motionless, staring at each other a 
full half-minute, when the old man asked in surprise : 

“ What seems to be the matter? I’m hopin’ you 
youngsters haven’t been mixin’ up in any of 
’Liphalet’s business, eh? Somehow folks down 
this way have got in the way of thinkin’ that smug- 
glin’ ain’t anything so far out’er plumb; but it’s a 
mighty serious matter when the government pulls a 
man up for doin’ it.” 

“ We’ve got nothin’ to do with him in a friendly 
way, an’ would be mighty glad if we were certain 
of never seein’ the man again,” Ezra replied quickly, 
determined to disabuse Uncle ’Siah of any idea that 
they had been tempted to engage in smuggling. 
“ The fact is that he tried to get us into trouble, 
an’ when we left Quoddy Head the officers were 
after him hot. It surprised us to know he had 
given them the slip so quickly.” 

“ It wouldn’t jar me to know ’Liphalet had taken 
to flyin’,” the old man said thoughtfully. “ I’ve 
known him to crawl out’er a hole which didn’t seem 
to have but one end, an’ how it happened that the 
275 


276 THE CRUISE OF THE PHOEBE 


officers caught him a spell ago is somethin’ I never 
could figger out.” 

“ Do you suppose he was headin’ for Portland 
when he went by here ? ” Ezra asked, and Uncle 
’Siah replied: 

“ I’m allowin’ he wouldn’t do anythin’ quite so 
brash as that. Most likely he counted on pullin’ 
in somewhere ’round Boothbay, an’ come out here 
to show himself, reckonin’ we’d report, if any ques- 
tions were asked, that he was makin’ straight to the 
westward. I wouldn’t be afraid to predict that 
you’ll find him well down to the east’ard when you 
get there, for there’s no man in this country who 
can hop ’round livelier than that same ’Liphalet 
Barnes.” 

There could be no question as to the correctness 
of this information, and the boys understood that 
Mr. Carter had failed in his attempt to capture the 
smuggler. It was not pleasant to thus know that 
they might come upon their enemy at any time, 
for there was no doubt in their minds but that 
Barnes would do what he could to punish them for 
having sent word to the customs officers. 

So agitated were they that for the time being 
even Tommy Downing forgot the purpose for which 
they had anchored off Monhegan, as the two lads 
speculated upon the dismal possibilities of the fu- 
ture; but the junior partner was the first to collect 
his scattered senses, and cried as if having suddenly 
awakened from profound sleep: 

“Say! what did we come here for? Anybody’d 
think there was nothin’ to be done but loaf ’round 


THE CRUISE OF THE PHCEBE 277 

on shore swappin’ yarns! We’re bound to get a 
cargo of lobsters, no matter how many smugglers 
are kitin’ ’longshore in power boats, so s’pose we 
make a beginnin’ by pickin’ up what Uncle ’Siah’s 
got? ” 

Ezra aroused himself as if with an effort, and 
soon the partners were at work taking lobsters 
aboard, not coming to an end of their labors until 
three hundred and ten had been put in the well. 

By the time all this was done and settlement made 
with the fishermen, the afternoon was nearly spent, 
therefore Dick proposed that they remain in harbor 
until morning, rather than, as he expressed it, “ work 
themselves to death at the start.” 

“ That’s a nice way to begin layin’ up money to 
pay for the smack!” Tommy cried scornfully. 
“ If we can’t run nights it’ll pay us to hire some- 
body who can. I’ll agree to stand at the wheel 
from here to Matinicus, if you two will fix it so’s 
to keep the screw turnin’, an’ when we get there I’ll 
do a full day’s work on the end of it.” 

“ But see here. Tommy,” Dick said almost im- 
ploringly as Master Downing began to heave in on 
the anchor cable; “we can’t keep on runnin’ from 
one island to the other without gettin’ some sleep! 
It’s a case of restin’ part of the time.” 

“ Wait till we get back to Westbay with a well 
full of lobsters, an’ then take a couple of days off 
for restin’,” Master Downing replied as he brought 
the anchor inboard, thus forcing one of his com- 
rades to start the motor in order to prevent the 
Phoebe from drifting ashore. Then, when she was 


278 THE CRUISE OF THE PHCEBE 

forging ahead once more he shouted from the pilot- 
house, “ You fellers can stand hourly watches, an’ 
in that way you’ll bottle up all the sleep that’ll be 
needed, by the time we make Matinicus 1 ” 

“ There’s no use tryin’ to argue with him,” Ezra 
said laughingly. “ He has got such a chance for 
makin’ money as he never had before, an’ intends 
to work the snap for all it’s worth. An’ a mighty 
good thing it is for me,” he added in a more serious 
tone. “ I’m the one who needs to earn a dollar 
worse than any other member of the firm, ’cause 
I’ve got a family dependin’ on me, an’ the harder 
he drives the more cheerful I ought to feel. You 
keep an eye on the motor, an’ I’ll get supper; when 
that has been eaten you can turn in as he proposes.” 

“ I’d feel like a fool to be sleepin’ while you two 
were doin’ all the work,” Master Marshall grumbled, 
while at the same time he realized that the junior 
partner was doing right to “ drive ” them once a 
cruise had been begun. 

When the evening meal was ready, Ezra went into 
the pilot-house that Tommy might go below and 
get his share, and while the two were at table Dick 
and Master Downing had a long discussion as to 
how the business of lobster buying could be con- 
ducted to the best advantage. 

It goes without saying that Tommy had the best 
of the argument; but Dick would not admit as 
much, and Master Downing said before he went on 
deck, having eaten the meal in less than ten minutes : 

“ You’ve got a father who is willin’ to pay all 
your bills, so it wouldn’t be such a very serious mat- 


THE CRUISE OF THE PHGEBE 


279 


ter for you if this ’ere concern should bust up; but 
here’s the chance of my life, an’ if a little extra 
work is goin’ to give me a better grip on it, then 
you bet I’ll hustle. Ezra is fixed better’n I am, 
’cause he’s got a home; but it costs him considerable 
to keep it goin’, an’ he’s bound to do a big pile of 
humpin’, if he counts on makin’ both ends meet. 
So you see us two must drive; but we’re willin’ for 
you to get all the comfort you can out’er the cruise, 
an’ I’m ready to do your share of the work.” 

“ I may not be willin’ to plug into it as hard as 
you fellows; but I’m not such a duffer as to stand 
by an’ see you drivin’ at what ought’er be done by 
me.” 

To this Tommy made no reply; but there was a 
smile on his face as he entered the pilot-house, and 
Ezra asked: 

“ Has Dick been scoldin’ because you try to drive 
him too hard? ” 

“ He’s been kickin’ a little,” Tommy replied care- 
lessly; “but I’m beginnin’ to believe he likes to find 
fault — some fellers are built that way — so it 
don’t bother me a little bit. We’ll have the anchor 
down off Matinicus quite a spell before midnight, 
SO there won’t be much chance for any of us to get 
a great deal of sufferin’.” 

And in this Tommy was correct. Dick was not 
yet ready to turn in when the helmsman shouted 
through the speaking-tube: 

“ If one of you’ll stand by the anchor, I reckon 
we’ll find good holdin’ ground jest off that point.” 

“Have we arrived so soon?” Dick cried as he 


280 THE CRUISE OF THE PHCEBE 


ran on deck, and to his surprise found that the 
Phoebe was already in a snug harbor. 

“Why do you turn in?” Dick asked after the 
smack had been put in shape for the night, and 
Tommy was making his preparations for bed. “ If 
you keep awake you can save half an hour or more 
In the mornin’.” 

“ ril save that all right,” Master Downing re- 
plied placidly. “ Don’t fear but that I’ll be movin’ 
as soon as any of the fishermen are, an’ get all the 
sleep that’s needed Inter the bargain.” 

Ten minutes later the sound of heavy breathing 
told that the crew of the Phoebe had crossed over 
Into Dreamland, lulled to unconsciousness by the 
rise and fall of the little smack on the gentle swell. 

Tommy kept his word to the letter next morning, 
for Dick and Ezra, aroused by a sense of suffoca- 
tion, looked out of their bunks to see a roaring fire 
in the cook-stove, the swinging lamp lighted, and 
Master Downing deep In the mysteries of frying 
eggs. 

“Is It midnight yet?” Dick asked sarcastically, 
and Tommy replied with a laugh as he deftly turned 
an egg: 

“ It’ll be midnight to-morrow before you fellers 
get to work. If a move ain’t made right soon. I 
reckon you’ll kick, on lookin’ outside, because It’s 
dark; but day’ll break In less’n half an hour, an’ 
then’s when we must strike these fishermen. Break- 
fast’ll be ready as soon as you are.” 

An hour later the partners were taking lobsters 
on board, and when the last fisherman had departed 


THE CRUISE OF THE PHCEBE 281 


Ezra announced that he had paid for three hundred 
and sixty, saying by way of comment: 

“We’ve bought six hundred an’ seventy in 
twenty-four hours, an’ I call that as good a begin- 
nin’ of the cruise as could be asked for. We can’t 
pay for more than twenty-five hundred, an’ I believe 
it wouldn’t be wise to squeeze even so many as that 
into the well. When we’ve got somewhere near two 
thousand I shall advise that we head for Westbay.” 

“ We ought’er be satisfied with that many,” Mas- 
ter Downing said as he brought the anchor inboard, 
“ an’ I’m hopin’ we’ll get ’em ’round Isle au Haut 
within the next forty-eight hours. We’ll be there 
in time to do some little work to-night, if we have 
good luck, so send her along, Ezra.” 

The Phoebe was headed northeast with a big 
bone in her teeth, and Dick and Ezra, who were in 
the cuddy going over the cash account, could hear 
Master Downing as he roared at the full strength 
of his lungs : 

“ I’se bound to run all day, 

I’se bound to run all night; 

I’ve bet my money on a bob-tailed nag. 
Somebody’s bettin’ on the bay.” 

A strong northerly wind headed the little smack, 
therefore she did not cover the distance as quickly 
as Tommy had believed would be the case, and the 
harbor was two miles or more distant when Dick 
went into the pilot-house to announce that the second 
meal of the day, which was dinner and supper rolled 
into one, had been served. 


282 THE CRUISE OF THE PHOEBE 


“ You’ll have just about time to eat it before we 
get into the thoroughfare,” Master Marshall said 
grimly, “ although any other fellow would spend 
half an hour takin’ in the same amount of food. 
Do you think I’m to be trusted with the helm for 
such a short time?” 

“ I reckon you can look after her a few minutes,” 
Tommy replied doubtfully. ‘‘ All that’s needed is 
to keep her straight for the dead tree you see yon- 
der; but remember that this wind is headin’ us 
mighty strong, an’ don’t let her swing too near that 
point to starboard, for the water’s none too deep 
there.” 

Dick took the helm with a sailorly swagger, and 
Tommy went aft, shouting as he gained the cuddy 
companion : 

“ Bear in mind that the wind is tryin’ to throw 
her nose around, an’ the current sets right over to- 
wards the point.” 

“ If I can’t keep her on a course I’ll eat the 
wheel,” Dick replied just a trifle impatiently, and 
Ezra asked as Tommy seated himself at the table 
with the air of one who has but little time to spare: 

“What’s the matter? Have you got an idea 
that Dick can’t steer? He has handled larger boats 
than this, an’ in mighty nasty weather.” 

“ He might have run a whole fleet of war vessels, 
an’ then come to grief in Isle au Haut thoroughfare, 
for it ain’t the best water in the world when the 
wind comes as we’re gettin’ it now,” Tommy re- 
plied with an expression of anxiety on his face, and 
then he made an attack upon the food as if counting 


THE CRUISE OF THE PHCEBE 283 

on compressing an entire meal into a single 
mouthful. 

“ It’s so late now that we won’t be able to do 
Very much toward addin’ to the cargo,” Ezra sug- 
gested as if to change the subject of conversation. 

“ I’m allowin’ that we’ll have on board Abel 
Saunders’ catch before dark, ’cause I come near to 
knowin’ how he should be handled. If he thinks 
that we’re achin’ to buy his lobsters he’ll back an’ 
fill like a contrary steer; but make him think it’s a 
toss-up whether we take ’em or not, an’ he’ll tumble 
all over himself tryin’ to get ’em aboard. I’ve sum- 
mered an’ wintered with — ” 

Tommy did not conclude the remark, for at that 
instant he was thrown from the locker as the smack 
stopped short with a shock that sent the dishes fly- 
ing into the bunks, with Ezra on top of them. 
Then the Phoebe swayed to and fro with a motion 
that made one dizzy, and pounded her bow upon 
some hard substance for a second time before Mas- 
ter Downing could scramble to his feet. 

“ I ought’er be kicked for cornin’ below when 
we were so near Haskell’s Point!” Tommy cried 
angrily as he struggled to disengage himself from 
the legs of the table, which seemed suddenly to have 
multiplied. ‘‘ The wind was headin’ him, an’ he 
didn’t know how to ease her! ” 

The lad was on deck before the words were fairly 
out of his mouth, and that which he saw was not cal- 
culated to ease the distress which had come upon 
him with the first shock. 

The Phoebe had run her bow up on the rocks in 


284 THE CRUISE OF THE PHCEBE 


such a manner as told that she must have been far 
out of her course, and was now slowly settling over 
on the starboard side as if having become dis- 
couraged with trying to extricate herself. 

Standing near the pilot-house, clinging to the win- 
dow-ledge to save himself from slipping overboard, 
was Dick, who gazed wildly aft, but said not a 
word. He looked dazed, and did not appear to 
hear Tommy when he asked angrily: 

How did she get headed that way? ” 

“ Shall I reverse the screw? ” Ezra shouted from 
the cuddy as he stopped the motor which had been 
forcing her yet further onto the rocks. 

“ She’s too far out of water for that screw to do 
any good! ” Tommy cried as if in a rage, and, go- 
ing close to the bewildered Dick, he asked again, 
“ How did she get turned around? She was headin’ 
northeast when I went below.” 

“ I can’t make out how it did happen,” Dick re- 
plied at length, speaking indistinctly as if his throat 
was filled with some foreign substance. “ The 
wheel-rope wasn’t runnin’ smoothly, an’ I stopped to 
fix it — ” 

“ Givin’ no heed to the smack when the wind 
was strong enough to hold her back to half-speed 1 ” 
Tommy interrupted. “ I saw that the rope chafed 
a bit, but didn’t count I had any right to meddle 
with it when both hands were needed on the wheel 
all the time I ” 

“ Go ahead an’ say everything rough that can be 
thought of,” Dick said meekly. “ I made the big- 


THE CRUISE OF THE PHCEBE 285 

gest kind of a fool out’er myself, an’ am ready to 
take all you two fellers want’er spit out.” 

“ It won’t do any good to scold,” Master Down- 
ing replied as if the soft answer had dispelled his 
anger. “We’re here on the rocks, with the tide 
about half ebb, an’ the wind cornin’ from the east 
fit to take the hairs off a dog’s head. I reckon if 
we don’t get a move of some kind on, it’ll be a 
case of takin’ to the dory mighty soon.” 

“ What can we do but wait for the tide to lift 
her? ” Ezra asked helplessly, not yet recovered from 
the fear caused by the first shock. 

“ Wait? ” Tommy cried. “ It’ll be six hours be- 
fore there’s a chance of the tide’s doin’ any good, 
an’ even then I ain’t certain as she’ll come off with- 
out a tug-boat, ’cause the screw must have driven 
her on a good bit. The wind will get its work in 
long before then I Let’s think about it,” and the 
lad walked slowly along the forward rail as if hav- 
ing forgotten that he had but just declared it was 
necessary to make haste. 

Not until a full five minutes had passed, during 
which his comrades watched him anxiously, did 
Master Downing speak, and then it was to say: 

“ The first thing is to get both anchors out astern, 
an' after that’s been done we’ll try to hatch up 
somethin’ else.” 

Instead of waiting for the others to act upon his 
suggestion. Tommy hauled the dory alongside, mak- 
ing her fast to the port rail where she would be un- 
der the lee of the smack. Then he set about drag- 


286 THE CRUISE OF THE PHCEBE 


ging the heaviest anchor across the deck, and was 
well along with the work before his companions re- 
covered from their stupefaction sufficiently to lend 
a hand. 

It was a heavy task, getting the anchor with a 
sufficient length of hawser into the dory; but the 
boys, working now to save the smack from going 
to pieces, labored as they never had before, and 
it really seemed , as if Tommy had the strength of 
half a dozen men in his arms. 

When the anchor was aboard the small boat. 
Master Downing and Ezra pulled straight away 
from the smack, Dick paying out the hawser as they 
advanced, and, having come as far from the Phoebe 
as the length of the cable would permit, the anchor 
was dropped over the dory’s stern after considerable 
labor, during which the wind forced them back until 
a good third of the distance was lost. 

“ It’s the best we can do,” Tommy said with a 
sigh as he pulled back to the smack. “ The other 
anchor is considerably lighter, an’ we may contrive 
to do a better job with it.” 

While Master Downing and Ezra were getting 
the second anchor into the dory, Dick was obeying 
orders by heaving in on the hawser of the one which 
had been put in place, working to such good effect 
that he had it well in hand when it became necessary 
to assist his comrades. 

After this last portion of the task had been per- 
formed successfully, with the lighter anchor a full 
six yards further out than the first, all hands set 
about hauling in on both hawsers until they were as 


THE CRUISE OF THE PHCEBE 287 

nearly straight as was possible without a windlass. 

“ We’ll have to call that part of the work done,” 
Tommy said with a sigh, as he realized how much 
better it might have been performed if they could 
have brought into play some kind of a purchase. 
“ I reckon she won’t swing very much while they 
hold, an’ it’s the swinging with this wind that’ll do 
the most mischief, for she’s likely to chew a hole 
in the bow. Say, get below an’ see if she’s takin’ 
in any water.” 

While Ezra was obeying this command Tommy 
set Dick to work moving every movable thing aft, 
with a view to taking the heaviest part of the strain 
from the bow, and this task was but just begun when 
Master Upton returned on deck with the cheering 
news that there was no water in the run more than 
might have been expected. 

“ I can’t make out that a single drop is cornin’ 
in; but if you say the word I’ll start the motor on 
the siphon, an’ pump her dry so that we can tell 
to a certainty.” 

“ Never mind that part of it just now. Get 
everything in the cuddy as far aft as possible, an’ 
work lively,” Tommy cried as he literally scraped 
the perspiration from his face, and on turning again 
to continue the labor of shifting the weight aft, he 
saw a dory in which was one man, putting out from 
the opposite shore. “ There’s Abel Saunders 
cornin’ to crow over us, an’ he needs to keep a 
mighty meek tongue in his head, ’less he’s achin’ to 
have me open out on him.” 

The boys were working like beavers when Mr. 


288 THE CRUISE OF THE PHCEBE 


Saunders came alongside under the lee of the hull, 
and one might have thought he was particularly well 
pleased because of the disaster, for he cried: 

“ Hello, Tommy I Seems you didn’t know the 
thoroughfare quite as well as you counted on, eh?” 

Master Downing made no reply, but dragged this 
thing or that aft with a savage energy which told 
that his temper was none of the best. 

“ Runnin’ a smack is different work from handlin’ 
a dory close under the lee of the shore, eh? ” Mr. 
Saunders continued as he made his boat fast with 
the evident intention of coming aboard. 

“ I was the one who put the smack ashore,” Dick 
cried. “ Tommy didn’t have anythin’ to do with 
it, for he was gettin’ his supper when we struck.” 

“Oh, oh, fillin’ right up, eh? Tommy allers 
was a master hand at eatin’, an’ I’ve told him time 
an’ time agin that he’d come to grief some day if 
he didn’t put a bridle on his appetite. I’d have 
thought. Tommy, that you’d been lookin’ after the 
interests of them as have hired you, instead of 
gorgin’ all the time I ” 

Mr. Saunders came over the rail as he spoke, and 
stood looking down at the lad reproachfully until 
Tommy could remain silent no longer, but asked 
without ceasing his labors: 

“ Did you come aboard to see if we’d buy your 
catch, Mr. Saunders ? ” 

“ I wasn’t sich a fool as to think them as are 
wrecked would want to take on any more of a cargo, 
no matter what might be the price. I reckon this 
’ere smack has made her last port. If you are 


THE CRUISE OF THE PHGEBE 289 

wantin’ to sell the hulk jest as she lays, an’ will make 
It an object, I might be willin’ to dicker.” 

“ We ain’t sellln’ anything,” Tommy replied 
curtly, “ an’ this Isn’t the last port the Phoebe will 
make by a long shot.” 

“ Be you fool enough. Tommy Downing, to 
think you can ever float a craft that’s been piled up 
on the rocks the same as this one has? She’ll go 
to pieces ’twixt now an’ mornin’, for this wind’s 
goln’ to have more heft ’long ’bout sundown,” and 
Mr. Saunders gazed over the rail critically as if ex- 
pecting to see signs of the Phoebe’s immediate break- 
ing up. 

“ She won’t cost you anythin’, so don’t begin to 
feel so terrible bad ’bout It,” Tommy said sharply, 
and Mr. Saunders added quietly, with never a token 
that he realized his former employee was speaking 
Impertinently : 

“ P’rhaps^ If you was willin’ to pay a fair price, 
all hands of us ’round here might turn to when the 
tide comes up, an’ see what could be done by pullin’ 
at her with dories. Say, Tommy, why don’t you 
look up Ellphalet Barnes? He’s a handy man at 
sich scrapes as this, an’ Pm allowin’ he won’t be- 
grudge cornin’ over here If you go after him.” 

Tomy straightened himself much after the fashion 
of a steel spring, that he might look his former em- 
ployer full in the face, and Ezra and Dick started 
back In alarm as if meditating flight. 

“ Is Ellphalet Barnes anywhere near here ? ” 
Master Downing asked sharply. 

“ Sure; I reckon he’s over to the old man Bark- 


290 THE CRUISE OF THE PHCEBE 

er’s yet, leastways he was when I come in from 
pullin’ pots.” 

“When (did he come there?” 

“ Not above two hours ago. As I was sayin’, 
he’s a master hand at wreckin’, is Eliphalet, an’ if 
you pay him for his time, I’m allowin’ he’d give you 
a lift.” 

“ We’ll get the smack off the rocks without any 
help, or leave her here,” Ezra said quickly, speak- 
ing for the first time since Mr. Saunders had come 
on board. “ If the tide don’t raise her, nothin’ but 
a tug will do any good.” 

“ Now I ain’t so certain ’bout that,” and again 
Mr. Saunders looked over the rail critically. 
“ With the right kind of help, pervidin’ you was 
willin’ to pay a fair price, it looks to me as if com- 
siderable might be done.” 

“ We’ll wait to see what the tide will do,” Ezra 
replied, wishing most fervently that the officious 
visitor would take his departure, for with the knowl- 
edge that Barnes was in the vicinity it seemed ab- 
solutely necessary they form some kind of a plan 
for defense, and that could not be done in the pres- 
ence of strangers. 

Unfortunately for the lobster buyers’ peace of 
mind, Mr. Saunders was in no hurry to leave, most 
likely fancying he could make a dollar or two 
through the misfortunes of the boys, and he re- 
mained criticising everything that had been done, 
meanwhile making the most doleful predictions, un- 
til Tommy could control his temper no longer. 

“ See here,” he cried angrily, “ it may make you 


THE CRUISE OF THE PHGEBE 291 

feel terribly good to hang ’round here tellin’ us 
what’s goin’ to happen; but it ain’t helpin’ out a 
little bit, an’ if you can’t keep that calamity howlin’ 
to yourself, the sooner you go ashore the better we’ll 
be pleased.” 

“ I allers knowed yours was a hot temper. Tommy 
Downin’; but never had an idee you’d talk like that 
to them who allers stood ready to do you a good 
turn. It ain’t respectful to one who’s fed you as 
long as I have,” and a stranger might have believed, 
because of the sorrowful tone, that the tears were 
very near Mr. Saunders’ eyes. 

“ Yes, you fed me after your fashion! ” Tommy 
cried scornfully; “but I never ate the littlest piece 
of bread that I didn’t pay for in work a dozen times 
over. I ’tended your traps day in an’ day out with 
never a soul to give me a lift, an’ all I got for it 
was what little you put out for me to eat, with you 
all the time tellin’ ’bout the gluttony of boys.” 

“You’re an ungrateful little wretch!” and now 
it was evident that Mr. Saunders had in turn lost 
his temper. “ I come out here countin’ on doin’ 
you a good turn for the sake of old times; but I 
can go back, an’ you won’t see me agin till your 
smack has been stove inter kindlin’s by the rocks ! ” 

“ Don’t think I’m goin’ to cry if you never come 
across me agin,” Tommy said as Mr. Saunders went 
over the rail into his dory, with a certain assumption 
of dignity which would have appeared comical to 
Dick and Ezra if they had not been plunged into 
such great trouble. 

Without a word of parting the fisherman pulled 


292 . THE CRUISE OF THE PHGEBE 

toward the opposite shore, and when he was beyond 
earshot Tommy turned to his partners as he said: 

“ You heard what he said ’bout Eliphalet Barnes, 
an’ we can make up our minds that he’ll be nosin’ 
’round ’twixt now an’ mornin’, for Abel Saunders 
will spread the news that we’re piled up here. I 
don’t allow that this ’ere smack is likely to go to 
pieces, even if the wind does get up considerable 
stronger; but what’s to hinder Barnes from cornin’ 
aboard if he feels like it?” 

“ It strikes me that the three of us should be able 
to prevent him, unless we’re the biggest kind of 
cowards, an’ these people ’round here stand ready 
to let him do whatever he pleases,” Dick cried 
stoutly, and Master Downing added: 

“ You can be certain the folks here won’t raise 
a hand to prevent him from kickin’ up a row. 
There ain’t one of ’em who isn’t afraid of that 
miserable smuggler, an’ the whole crowd don’t dare 
to say their souls are their own, when he’s near to 
hear it.” 

“ Then you’ve settled down that he’ll do pretty 
much as he pleases? ” Ezra cried in astonishment. 

“Not much I haven’t I” Tommy said emphatic- 
ally. “ I was only tryin’ to give you an idee of 
what we’d got to buck up against. I don’t know 
of anythin’ more we can do to help the Phoebe out’er 
her scrape, till after the tide comes in, so s’posen 
we kind’er figger out what’s to be done if that old 
pirate shows up ripe for mischief.” 

Then Master Downing went into the cuddy as 
if having decided upon his course of action, and. 


THE CRUISE OF THE PHCEBE 293 

as a matter of course, Dick and Ezra followed 
him. 

Night had come while the boys were straighten- 
ing out the hawsers, and it was now so dark that 
it became necessary to light the swinging lamp in or- 
der to avoid tumbling over the litter of stores and 
goods of all kinds that had been thrown, rather than 
stowed, near the cuddy stairs in order to shift as 
much of the weight as was possible from the bow. 

It was surely a scene of desolation, and gave one 
a sense of being aboard a real wreck, for the Phoebe 
had heeled over until the deck sloped at an angle of 
thirty degrees, consequently all the smaller articles, 
including the dishes and cooking utensils, were 
strewn along and over the starboard lockers. From 
the outside could be heard heavy blows as the waves, 
raised by the freshening wind, struck against the 
hull of the helpless craft, while the hum of the wind 
across the companion-way was nearly as loud as if 
a gale had been raging. 

“ It looks as if she was already goin’ to pieces,” 
Ezra said mournfully after he had lighted the lamp 
and gazed around, forgetting for the moment that 
Eliphalet Barnes ever had an existence. “ I believe 
we’d feel a bit better if we set things to rights.” 

“ There’s no sense in spendin’ our time uselessly, 
for I’m allowin’ this ’ere smack will have a worse 
shakin’ up before we get her off the rocks,” and 
Tommy began throwing the different articles aside 
as if in search of something, until Dick asked im- 
patiently : 

“ What are you huntin’ for? ” 


294 the cruise of THE PHCEBE 

“ There was part of a heavin’ line down here 
somewhere, an’ I’m tryin’ to find it.” 

‘‘What for?” 

“ To rig up somethin’ that’ll help us keep 
Eliphalet Barnes at a distance, if so be he takes it 
inter his ugly head to pay us a visit. Here it is ! ” 
he exclaimed an instant later, and then, to the sur- 
prise of the boys, he set about tying to one end of 
the line a deep-sea sounding-lead which had been left 
aboard by the former captain of the Phoebe. 

“ I’d rather have a good stout club — say one of 
the oars, than that, if we should have a regular row 
with Barnes,” Dick said with a laugh, and Tommy 
replied in a matter-of-fact tone: 

“ We’ll have the oars where we can get at ’em 
all right; but what I’m after is somethin’ that’ll 
make him afraid to get out of his boat, in case he 
comes, as I reckon he will. With this ’ere lead to 
swing, I’m allowin’ he won’t want to get very near 
after havin’ been warned off. I’ll lay this inside 
the companion, an’ then we’ll take the oars out’er 
the dory so’s to have ’em ready for use. If 
Eliphalet Barnes wants to give us a call, after seein’ 
how we’ve made ready for him. I’m allowin’ we’ll 
make things considerably hot.” 


CHAPTER XV 


A FRIENDLY ENEMY 

It was as if the crew of the Phoebe had ceased to 
give any attention whatsoever to the possibility that 
the smack might be wrecked beyond all saving, and 
thought only of how they might defend themselves 
from the man who had vowed vengeance upon them. 

It is true that nothing more could have been done 
to aid the stranded vessel, for by this time the tide 
had fallen so much that two-thirds of her hull was 
resting upon the ledge, and that she had gone so 
far up on the rocks would have given her crew 
cause for rejoicing had they spent the time necessary 
to discover the actual situation. If the bow of the 
smack only held her back upon the ledge, then 
would there have been the possibility that her back 
might have been broken; but as it was, she rested 
comfortably upon the hard cradle, and although the 
wind had, as Abel Saunders predicted, increased in 
strength, the surf was not dangerous because the 
point of the opposite shore served as a natural break- 
water. 

However, the crew of the smack did not spend 
any time seeking to find cause for thankfulness. All 
their energies were centered upon plans for defense, 
because it was set down in their minds as an ab- 
solute fact that Eliphalet Barnes would pay them a 
295 


296 THE CRUISE OF THE PHCEBE 

visit with the intent of doing grievous injury, as 
soon as it came to his knowledge that the Phoebe 
was held prisoner by the rocks. 

Tommy had shown himself a better trader than 
naval tactician. He relied mainly for defense upon 
the deep-sea lead made fast to the heaving-line, be- 
lieving it would be possible to hurl this heavy weight 
at whoever should approach in a boat, and pull it 
back into the smack, thus using the missile over and 
over again; but he failed to realize that whosoever 
might be bent upon going aboard against the wishes 
of the crew, could very readily seize upon the lead 
once it had been cast, and, with a stroke of a sharp 
knife, sever the weight from the line, until Ezra 
called his attention to this defect in his plan. 

“ I never thought of that,” Master Downing ad- 
mitted ruefully. “ It can’t be helped now, an’ 
what I’m kickin’ myself for, is that we didn’t buy 
somethin’ in the shape of a gun when we were in 
Westbay. Then it would have been a case of 
Eliphalet Barnes’ keeping his distance, or takin’ the 
chance of bein’ killed.” 

“ I wouldn’t have agreed to puttin’ any kind of 
a deadly weapon aboard the smack, even though we 
had known this thing would happen,” Ezra said de- 
cidedly. “ Better an hundred times over that the 
Phoebe should be smashed into kindlings on these 
rocks, than for us to kill, or even wound, a man, 
however evil his intentions toward us.” 

“ Well,” Tommy said after a brief pause, “ if 
that’s the way you’re feelin’ ’bout it, I don’t know 
but this deep-sea lead will make as good a weapon 


THE CRUISE OF THE PHGEBE 297 

as any, for it’s likely to do precious little harm if 
Eliphalet hits upon a plan to catch it, an’ I’m free 
to admit he’s got head enough to think of settlin’ 
matters that way.” 

“ We’ll stand him off as best we can, an’ per- 
haps your lead may serve to frighten him, at all 
events,” Ezra began, and did not finish the sentence, 
for at that instant Dick raised his hand for silence, 
and even above the whistling of the wind was it 
possible to hear the clicking of oars in the row- 
locks. 

“ He’s cornin’,” Tommy cried, coiling the heaving- 
line ready for use as he ran on deck followed by his 
companions, and to their dismay the three saw, 
hardly more than twenty feet away, coming up un- 
der the lee of the Phoebe, Eliphalet Barnes in a 
dory. 

He was alone, pulling hurriedly with apparently 
no idea that it might be necessary to defend him- 
self, until Tommy cried shrilly : 

‘‘ Hold on there ! Don’t dare to pull another 
stroke or I’ll smash your head in I ” and Master 
Downing swung his improvised weapon threat- 
eningly. 

Mr. Barnes turned to look upon the speaker as 
if in surprise, and really appeared astonished at see- 
ing the crew of the smack standing in warlike array 
to oppose his boarding the craft. 

“What’s up now?” he cried as if bewildered by 
such unfriendly demonstrations. “ It strikes me 
that you’re needin’ someone to lend a hand, an’ 
Abel Saunders didn’t allow he’d raise a finger um 


298 THE CRUISE OF THE PHGEBE 

less you lads would pay him well for the service.” 

“What has that got to do with it?” Tommy 
asked, and now it was his turn to be surprised be- 
cause Mr. Barnes spoke them in such a friendly 
manner. 

“ Why seein’s I’m the only man hereabouts willin’ 
to lend a hand without askin’ for pay, I’ve come 
out.” 

“ Look here, Eliphalet Barnes,” Tommy began 
angrily. “ Don’t run away with the idee that you 
can shut our eyes so easy as all that. We may be 
pretty soft marks when it comes to ropin’ us inter 
smugglin’; but ain’t duffers enough to swallow the 
yarn that you’d be willin’ to help us, unless there was 
a string to it in some way.” 

During this conversation it had been necessary 
for Mr. Barnes to continue rowing, otherwise the 
dory would have been hurled upon the rocks by the 
wind, and now he said, running the boat nearly 
alongside by an extra vigorous stroke of the oars: 

“ Jest make this ’ere dory fast, will you, while 
we talk? I’m givin’ you my word that I won’t step 
foot on your smack till you ask me to come.” 

“ An’ all the same you’ll be over the rail at the 
first good chance,” Tommy replied mockingly. 

“ See here, lads,” and now Eliphalet Barnes spoke 
in such an earnest tone that the boys could not but 
give heed to him. “ It’s true I allowed to get 
square with you for sendin’ after that bloomin’ in- 
spector; but nobody could ever accuse Eliphalet 
Barnes, whatever he may have done in the smugglin’ 
line, of jumpin’ onto man or boy who was in 


THE CRUISE OF THE PHCEBE 


299 


trouble. I’ve come out to lend a hand, if it’s 
needed, an’ I reckon it is, because the fishermen 
’round here ain’t given to doin’ charitable deeds un- 
less they see a good many dollars cornin’ in. Don’t 
think I’m agreein’ not to square matters because of 
your playin’ me that trick in Eastport bay; but it isn’t 
in my mind to do anythin’ so dirty as to take ad- 
vantage of them as are the same as wrecked.” 

“ Do you mean that you’d help us now to get this 
smack off the rocks, an’ as soon as it was done turn 
’round to do whatsoever you might against us?” 
Ezra asked in astonishment, and Mr. Barnes replied, 
still in a tone which carried conviction of its truth- 
fulness. 

“ You are in trouble now, an’ I ain’t beast enough 
to try to make more for you at this time. You 
played me a smooth trick; but perhaps it wasn’t any 
more than evenin’ things up for what I’d been 
workin’ agin you. All that is outside of this ’ere 
wreck. I’m ready to lend a hand the same as I 
would to Inspector Carter, if so be he was in as 
tight a place as you; but once you’re afloat an’ able 
to take care of yourself. I’m allowin’ to pay off the 
score that was run up when you laid inside Quoddy 
Head.” 

Surely it was an odd enemy — this man who dis- 
dained to strike a blow when those against whom he 
had a grudge were much the same as powerless to 
defend themselves, and who, while ready to do a 
favor, claimed that his enmity was in no degree 
abated! It was a new phase in Eliphalet Barnes’ 
character to Tommy Downing, and he stood staring 


300 THE CRUISE OF THE PHGEBE 

at the man whose outline only could be discerned in 
the gloom, as if having lost all power of speech. 

Mr. Barnes, accepting the silence as permission 
to come aboard the stranded smack, pulled along- 
side, made his dory fast to the port rail, and 
clambered inboard, walking fore and aft on the star- 
board side, trying to ascertain exactly the situation 
of the vessel. 

Unable to do this to his satisfaction in the dark- 
ness, he took from Dick’s unresisting hands the oar 
which the lad been intending to use as a weapon, 
and with it ascertained the depth of water from the 
bow of the smack to the point where the ledge ended. 

During all this time, which occupied probably ten 
minutes or more, no word was spoken. The boys 
remained like statues, following with their eyes Mr. 
Barnes’ movements; but asked no questions either 
of him or each other. 

It was the smuggler who broke the silence, and 
this he did by asking in a matter-of-fact tone, as if 
he had been putting the question to one of his best 
friends : 

“ How was the tide when you run her on? ” 

“ About half ebb,” Tommy replied mechanically. 

“ Do you allow them ’ere anchors will hold the 
strain? ” 

“ We put all the weight we could on ’em, an’ 
they’ve showed no signs of givin’,” Master Down- 
ing replied. 

“ Is she takin’ in any water?” 

“ I looked in the run half an hour after she 
struck, an’ didn’t find more than might have been 


THE CRUISE OF THE PHGEBE 301 

expected,” Ezra said in reply. “ Wc did think of 
puttin’ a siphon on to make certain whether there 
was any coming inboard, but somehow seemed to 
forget it.” 

“ I’m allowin’ that’s what you’d better do now,” 
Mr. Barnes said as he took the deep-sea lead from 
Tommy’s hands and dropped it over the stern. 
“ You can’t do any harm by using the screw now, 
for she’s fixed fast.” 

At the moment, and because the smuggler was 
seemingly in command, Ezra obeyed as promptly 
as if ’Squire Merrill himself had given the order, 
and during five minutes or more the thumping of 
the motor could be heard. Then it ceased, and Ezra 
cried: 

“ She’s as dry as you can get her, an’ I don’t be- 
lieve there has been a quart of water come inboard 
since we struck.” 

As if he was the owner of the smack instead of 
being an avowed enemy of her crew, Mr. Barnes 
descended into the cuddy followed meekly by Tommy 
and Dick, and there surveyed the scene of disorder. 
He seated himself as best he might upon the bedding 
which had been thrown from the port bunks onto 
the starboard locker, and proceeded to fill his short, 
black, disagreeable-looking pipe, saying after it had 
been lighted to his satisfaction, while he puffed 
away vigorously: 

“ I’m allowin’ that by puttin’ out both anchors 
you lads did about all that was needed. It’s cer- 
tain she won’t come to grief ’twixt now an’ when the 
tide is at half flood, unless the wind changes, which 


302 THE CRUISE OF THE PHCEBE 

don’t seem likely. I see you’ve carried everything 
well aft. Is there much extra weight?” 

“ We didn’t have anythin’ movable that was very 
heavy after the anchors were taken off,” Tommy re- 
plied meekly. “ I’m allowin’ that the motor is aft 
of the edge of the ledge, which should make con- 
siderable weight.” 

“ I was thinkin’ that perhaps we might be givin’ 
her a chance to break her back, for this ’ere ledge 
makes off right sharp, an’ the stern overhangs. 
Perhaps you lads better keep well up in the fore 
part of the cuddy, so’s to take off the strain, an’ 
when that’s done there’s nothin’ for us but to wait.” 

By acting upon this suggestion the crew of the 
Phcebe would be well forward of where Mr. Barnes 
was sitting, and in case he was disposed to make 
prisoners of them, they would be helpless; yet with- 
out hesitation all three did as he proposed, thus 
putting themselves wholly in his power. 

Evidently it was not his intention to abuse their 
confidence, for after this change of position had 
been made, he said as if reviewing the situation in 
his mind: 

“ I left word with old man Barker where I was 
cornin’, an’ the chances are he’ll be here as soon as 
he gets the message. That’ll give us three dories 
for towin’, an’ you can count on it he won’t try to 
put the screw to you as Abel Saunders did. We can 
heave in on the hawsers so’s to take up all the slack, 
an’ the minute she feels the tide, set to work with 
four pairs of oars, when I’m allowin’ somethin’ 


THE CRUISE OF THE PHCEBE 303 

ought’er be done; but until then it’s a case of makin’ 
ourselves comfortable, eh?” 

“Then you are countin’ on standin’ by?” Ezra 
asked, and Mr. Barnes replied, as if surprised that 
there should be any doubt regarding his intentions: 

“ Of course I am, lads; I’ll see you off this ledge, 
if so be the wind don’t interfere.” 

“An’ what then?” Tommy asked suspiciously. 

“ Why, then it’s a case of your lookin’ after your- 
selves. Didn’t allow that Eliphalet Barnes had it 
in him to do a good turn for anybody, eh?” and 
the smuggler laughed as if such an idea was to him 
very comical, whereat Ezra replied in a half- 
apologetic tone: 

“ After all that’s been said and done you can’t 
wonder we’d believe that you’d take advantage of 
our helplessness.” 

“ That’s where you’re makin’ the mistake of your 
life, lad, an’ anybody will tell you the same thing. 
I ain’t denyin’ but what I have run stuff across the 
line a good many times in the course of my life. 
Some folks say it’s a crime, an’ the government 
looks after a smuggler mighty sharp — but why? 
It’s the money for the duties they want, an’ that’s 
what this bloomin’ inspector’s after. If it wasn’t 
for gettin’ the dollars out of it, you wouldn’t find 
’em hoverin’ ’round us so thick. Some folks call 
me a pretty bad man, an’ perhaps I am, ’cordin’ to 
the way they look at it; but you lads are not to 
think I’m quite as black as they’ve painted me. No- 
body can say I ever saw a chance to help a man 


304 THE CRUISE OF THE PHCEBE 

out’er a bad scrape, same’s you’re in, without turnin’ 
to an’ doin’ my best, whether it was friend or cus- 
toms officer that was in hard luck, an’ that’s a good 
deal more’n you can say for some of the fishermen 
along this ’ere coast, meanin’, for instance, Abel 
Saunders.” 

“ So you’re countin’ on helpin’ us get the Phoebe 
off, if that is possible, an’ afterward turnin’ ’round 
an’ doin’ all the harm you can by way of squarin’ 
accounts because we sent word to Portland? ” Dick 
said questioningly, and Mr. Barnes replied as if 
there was really no need of an answer: 

“ Why, of course I am. The little account ’twixt 
you an’ me stands off till you’re in shape to look 
after yourself, an’ then we’ll see about settlin’ it. 
I’d like to know just how you did get word to that 
’ere inspector, though, for there’s where I’m willin’ 
to admit you fooled me in great shape.” 

“We pulled up to Eastport in the night, an’ 
mailed a letter,” Tommy replied with a chuckle of 
satisfaction, and Mr. Barnes, slapping his knee 
vigorously, exclaimed : 

“ Well, now there’s where a man can make a fool 
of himself, an’ think he’s terrible smart! I was 
keepin’ an eye on you lads, until night shut in, an’ 
then allowed you’d hug the cuddy mighty close; but 
you can’t take any great credit for bein’ smart in that 
’ere trick, ’cause it was only a case of my bein’ an 
idjut. I ought’er kept Jerry Shaw on watch all that 
night? ” 

“Who’s Jerry Shaw?” Tommy asked. 

“ The man what took the goods you brought from 


THE CRUISE OF THE PHCEBE 305 

the vessel for me. He ain’t an overly mild tempered 
party, as perhaps you lads found out; but set him 
to doin’ a thing, an’ he’s a good deal like a dog 
— holds on till everything cracks. I was reckonin’ 
that you’d idle ’round, not fixin’ up your motor even 
if the sparker came, in the hope some of the bloomin’ 
inspectors would happen around; but do you know, 
lads, it never came into my thick head that you 
might give information except by telegram, an’ that 
I guarded against.” 

Then Mr. Barnes laughed vigorously, as if he 
found in his own carelessness that which was very 
comical, and beginning now to have no little faith 
in this smuggler who so frankly said that he intended 
to do them a harm later. Tommy asked curiously: 

“ Did you go around Monhegan in a power boat 
day before yesterday?” 

“ That’s what I did. I run in a load of stuff 
slick as grease, while your friend Carter from the 
custom house was scrapin’ his shins over the rocks 
of Quoddy Head lookin’ for me,” and again Mr. 
Barnes indulged in mirth. 

“ How did you get back here so quickly? ” 

“ Well, you see I ain’t allowin’ it was done so 
very quickly,” and Mr. Barnes relighted the pipe 
which had been neglected during his spasms of 
mirth. “ You see a man in my line of business can’t 
afford to hang ’round one place very long at a time, 
an’ when I’ve got a job on hand I generally do it 
up in short order so’s to get out. Never mind 
where I landed the stuff, so long as I got it ashore. 
Then I strayed back this way, because it ain’t a 


3o6 the cruise OF THE PHCEBE 

bad idee to keep run of what Inspector Carter is 
about. If he was only as smart as he thinks he is, 
perhaps I’d have a harder row to hoe; but seein’s 
how he’s a bit thick-headed, it ain’t much of a job 
to keep clear of him, though I’m admittin’ he had 
a chance in this very cuddy to make it hot for me. 
Think of a man tryin’ to arrest another, an’ that 
same bein’ me who knows the ropes pretty well, 
layin’ up forward here while I’m standin’ near the 
companion-way! Why, he give me all the chance 
in the world, an’ I’d have been a bloomin’ idjut 
if I hadn’t taken it.” 

Again Mr. Barnes laughed in a most jolly man- 
ner, and Tommy continued to gratify his curiosity. 

“ What did you do with the boat you had up 
Monhegan way? ” 

“ That’s the secret ’twixt me an’ myself,” Mr. 
Barnes replied in a most friendly tone. “ She ain’t 
the only power boat that I can lay hands on along 
this shore, which ’counts for my bein’ able to travel 
pretty much as I please, while this ’ere government 
inspector’s foolin’ ’round with a single craft. You 
see there are times when it pays a man to take to the 
land, which couldn’t be done if he’s pinnin’ all his 
faith to one boat.” 

“ I was thinkin’,” Tommy said hesitatingly, 
“ that if we had such a boat here she might do a 
good deal toward helpin’ pull the Phoebe off the 
reef.” 

“ Ay, that’s a fact, lad ; but you see I couldn’t get 
mine here ’twixt now an’ high water; but this much 
I’ll promise, that if the smack don’t come off with 


THE CRUISE OF THE PHOEBE 307 

what towin’ we can do in the dories, an’ the weather 
holds favorable, I’ll have the smartest power boat 
to be found on this ’ere coast ready for work at 
the next tide.” 

“ You are puttin’ us in a queer place, Mr. 
Barnes,” Ezra said after a moment’s hesitation. 
“ I don’t believe there’s a man around here who 
would do as much for us, an’ yet after the smack has 
been floated, if so be that is possible, we’re bound in 
self-defense to give information to the officers con- 
cernin’ you.” 

“Of course you are, lad; I’m countin’ on that. 
It’s all your part of the game, an’ my aim is to put 
you lads in such shape that you can’t do much mis- 
chief. We are good friends now — that is, I’m 
showin’ myself such, an’ allowin’ for the time bein’ 
you’re feelin’ chummy-like toward me; but when 
this ’ere smack is in condition to run, an’ you have 
started, I’m lookin’ out sharp for a show to get the 
best of you.” 

“ Meanin’ that you will help pull the Phoebe off, 
an’ before we can get under way play some trick? ” 
Tommy asked sharply, whereupon Mr. Barnes re- 
plied in an injured tone, as if such an insinuation 
pained him deeply: 

“ Don’t think I’m such a reprobate as that. 
Tommy Downing! You’ll come off of these rocks, 
if so be we can work it, an’ get under way without 
my raisin’ a finger, except to do what good I can. 
But once this craft is in runnin’ shape, an’ you’ve 
gone about the cruise, there’ll be no more hobnob- 
bin’ till you pull up on another reef perhaps.” 


308 THE CRUISE OF THE PHCEBE 

“ It’s a mighty queer way of figgerin’, Mr. 
Barnes,” Tommy said in perplexity, “ an’ I can’t 
seem to get it through my head why you are willin’ 
to do all you can to put us in shape to work harm 
to your plans, an’ then count on jumpin’ in to make 
it hot again.” 

“ I don’t know as I can make it any clearer, lad; 
but that is a way I’ve got. I stand ready to lend a 
hand to my worst enemy when he’s in a tighter fix 
than I am, an’ after it has been done, why what’s 
to hinder pickin’ up the quarrel again ? ” 

“ How long have you been smugglin’ ? ” Ezra 
asked after a short time of silence. 

“ Off and on perhaps twenty years,” Mr. Barnes 
said as if he was speaking of some praiseworthy ef- 
fort. “ I don’t allow that I’d ever made a reg’lar 
business of it, if it hadn’t been that the government 
give it to me in the neck when there was no call 
for anythin’ of the kind. You see I had a little 
fishin’ smack, thirty-two tons, as neat a craft as ever 
was launched. Down off the bay of Chaleur I 
bought some bait from the blue-noses, allowin’ a 
man had the right to dicker for whatever another 
owned. But lo and behold, both governments 
jumped down on me, claimin’ it was agin some 
treaty, an’ the upshot of the whole matter was that 
I lost my vessel, together with every dollar I’d ever 
made in the world. It’s too long a story for me 
to go into now, an’ perhaps you wouldn’t under- 
stand it any better than I did at the time; but such 
cases are cornin’ up every little while because the 
folks at Washington an’ Ottawa, who don’t know a 


THE CRUISE OF THE PHCEBE 309 

codfish from a herring get together an’ say how we 
poor fishermen shall carry on our business. The 
law allows it’s all right for ’em to make a pauper of 
me when I hadn’t done anythin’ more’n seemed 
dead right, an’ then it’s a crime if I bring over the 
line stuff without routin’ out the customs officer an’ 
payin’ him what he calls duties on my own goods.” 

To Tommy, who had heard such stones many 
time, this brief recital of Mr. Barnes’ fancied wrongs 
was not novel; but Dick and Ezra were deeply in- 
terested, and questioned the smuggler as to this and 
that regarding the so-called fishing treaties, until a 
resounding blow was heard and felt against the 
Phoebe’s stern, causing Mr. Barnes to leap to his 
feet with no little excitement as he cried : 

“ The tide is gettin’ well in, lads, an’ it stands us 
in hand to be movin’. I did allow the old man 
Barker would have shown up before this; but most 
likely he didn’t get the word I sent him; so it’s a 
case of our bucklin’ down to it alone.” 

Mr. Barnes led the way on deck, and when the 
boys were in the open air they fancied the wind came 
with less weight from the eastward, while the surf 
could not be heard so loudly on the opposite point. 

“ It won’t be so big a job as we counted on, lads,” 
the smuggler said as he stood well aft peering out 
into the darkness. “ I’m allowin’ this breeze is 
finin’ down, an’ before high water It’ll come a dead 
calm, else I’m way off my reckonin’.” 

“ An’ If your predictions come true, we shall have 
no trouble in floatin’ the Phoebe,” Ezra cried in 
delight. 


310 


THE CRUISE OF THE PHCEBE 


“ Right for you, lad; but we won’t count chickens 
until they begin to hatch, for we can’t say now to a 
dead certainty that the wind won’t breeze up again. 
The question is what you’ve got in the way of 
hawsers.” 

“ I’m afraid that’s where we’re stuck,” Tommy 
said thoughtfully. “ When we got out the cable 
for the small anchor I took the only one that could 
be found. If Abel Saunders was a different kind 
of a man, perhaps we might borrow a couple from 
him.” 

“ Has he got any that you could put your hand 
on?” Mr. Barnes asked quickly. 

“ Yes, there are three or four coils of inch an’ 
inch an’ a half rope in that shanty of his at the head 
of the cove; but he wouldn’t lend ’em unless a feller 
paid two or three times what new ones would cost.” 

“ I’m allowin’ you don’t care to go ashore an’ 
take ’em without makin’ overly much talk about it? ” 
the smuggler asked, and Tommy replied quickly: 

“ If I should do anythin’ of the kind Abel Saun- 
ders would have the law on me mighty quick. You 
see he don’t feel terrible good about my leavin’ him, 
though he didn’t pay a cent of wages, an’ if a chance 
came for him to get me arrested for stealin’ he’d 
do it, no matter if I was only borrowin’.” 

“ I reckon that’s so, lad, an’ yet Abel Saunders 
is one of these ’ere honest men that would come nigh 
havin’ a lit if you asked him to do a bit of smugglin’. 
But he don’t dare to play funny with me, an’ I’ll have 
his hawsers whether he’s willin’ or not.” 

Having said this, Mr. Barnes went over the rail 


THE CRUISE OF THE PHGEBE 


311 

into his dory, and pulled for the opposite shore, 
Dick saying as he disappeared from view: 

“ Well, if this ain’t the oddest kind of an adven- 
ture any lads could ever have, then I’m mistaken! 
Here’s Eliphalet Barnes eager to do us a bad turn, 
yet lendin’ a hand when we’re in trouble, an’ prom- 
isin’ to do all the mischief he can after we are in con- 
dition to defend ourselves. Say, I’m beginnin’ to 
believe he isn’t half as bad as he has been painted.” 

“ I always knew he’d do a good turn for any- 
body; but believed it was because he wanted to 
make friends,” Tommy added. “ Now there’s 
Abel Saunders, he’d allow, if you talked with him, 
that there wasn’t a greater villain ever went un- 
hanged than Barnes, an’ yet Eliphalet spent three 
whole days helpin’ us pick up our traps after that 
big gale when about all of ’em were blown off-shore.” 

“ I don’t know what I should do just now if Mr. 
Carter came along an’ asked us to help catch the 
smuggler,” Dick said thoughtfully, “ an’ after we 
get the Phoebe afloat I’m not certain I’d like to do 
anythin’ against the man who has helped us out of 
this scrape, even though he does insist that we’re to 
be enemies.” 

“ There’s no need of figgerin’ on that now,” 
Tommy said shrilly. “ It’s a case of puttin’ the 
Phoebe where she was before you lost your head be- 
cause the rope chafed a bit, an’ after that’s been 
done we can make up our minds how to act in case of 
runnin’ across Mr. Carter.” 

Mr. Barnes returned, bringing the hawsers which 
he had borrowed without permission, before it 


312 THE CRUISE OF THE PHCEBE 

seemed to the boys as if he could have gained the 
opposite shore, and once alongside the Phoebe again 
he took full command of the wrecking operations. 

“ Seein’s old man Barker hasn’t come, one of yoil 
lads will get into the dory with me, an’ each of us 
is to pull a pair of oars,” he said, while making the 
hawsers fast to the after bitt. “ It’ll be a case of 
jumpin’ to it heavily; but I’m allowin’ that we 
ought’er bring considerable weight to bear on her, 
an’ when the tide comes just right, the strain of the 
anchors, with what we can put on, should slip her 
off. Now s’posin’ we lay down on these hawsers 
agin’, the whole of us, an’ run ’em up to the forward 
bitt, one each side of the pilot-house? That’ll give 
us a pull fore and aft.” 

As he suggested, so the lads did, and during the 
next half hour tugged and strained at the wet ropes, 
Dick holding the turn so that every inch gained 
might be kept, until the smuggler declared that it 
was impossible to do more. 

Then with exceeding care Mr. Barnes made each 
of the borrowed hawsers fast to the dories, and a 
nice job it was, for with two pairs of oars in each 
boat there was chance of pulling the craft apart, if 
peradventure the lift of the sea caught them just at 
the right time. 

All this Mr. Barnes did in a most methodical 
manner, working slowly that there might be no mis- 
take made, and when everything had been done to his 
satisfaction, he said, as he refilled his pipe once more : 

“ I’m allowin’ that we’ll begin work in less’n half 
an hour, an’ once havin’ started we must keep at it. 


THE CRUISE OF THE PHCEBE 313 

If she slides off, as we are reckonin’ on, you must 
work lively. Tommy Downing, to get aboard an’ 
haul in the slack of your anchor cables, else there’s 
a chance of her swingin’ around till she chews the 
screw out of her on some of these ’ere rocks.” 

Mr. Barnes marked the time by the consumption 
of tobacco in his pipe, and when that had been 
smoked out, he said in a tone of command : 

“ Now, then, lads, go to work, an’ I want you to 
put on them oars every pound of beef you’ve got. 
Who’s goin’ with me?” 

“ I will ! ” Dick replied, for he was beginning to 
have almost an admiration for this “ bad man ” who 
was so ready to assist an enemy. 

“ Then into the dory with you, an’ take the after 
thwart, for I reckon I’m a better hand at keepin’ 
stroke I ” 

Ten minutes later the two dories were out astern 
of the Phoebe, the hawsers straightened, and Mr. 
Barnes gave the word for the beginning of the 
weary work. 

“ Don’t let the boat yaw,” he shouted to Tommy. 
“ An’ keep up a steady strain. There’s no sense in 
slackenin’, an’ then cornin’ up with a jerk, for you 
stand a chance to rip the thwart out of your dory, 
an’ will be doin’ no good to the smack. Now to- 
gether with a will! It ain’t likely she’ll come for 
quite a spell, so don’t get discouraged 1 ” and Mr. 
Barnes dipped his oars deeply. 

It goes without saying that the crew of the Phoebe 
obeyed the smuggler’s example to the best of their 
ability, and for a full half-hour they strained every 


314 the cruise of THE PHCEBE 

muscle at the oars, keeping the hawsers taut as possi- 
ble while the tugging boats were tossed about by the 
waves, until the strain suddenly ceased, when Mr. 
Barnes shouted in a triumphant voice, as if his one 
aim in life had been to pull the Phoebe from her 
hard resting-place: 

“We’ve done it, lads! We’ve done it! An’ 
without dependin’ on anybody but ourselves. Jump 
to it. Tommy, an’ get aboard there! Haul in on 
your anchor, an’ have a care that you don’t foul the 
screw. We’ll keep her movin’ gently. Ezra, take 
in the slack of your hawser as you go, an’ once 
aboard, cast off. We don’t want too many ropes 
trailin’ ’round here while she’s got sternway.” 

These orders were obeyed promptly and properly, 
with the effect that within ten minutes the Phoebe was 
anchored stem and stern at a safe distance from the 
dangerous reef. 

“ Now coil up Abel Saunders’ hawsers an’ put 
’em aboard this dory,” Mr. Barnes cried as he ran 
alongside that Dick might join his companions. 
“ If you take my advice you’ll lay where you are 
till morning, for the tide is risin’ all the time.” 

“ Are you goin’ ashore, Mr. Barnes? ” Ezra cried, 
and the smuggler replied: 

“ I’m allowin’ there’s nothin’ more to be done 
here, an’ now I’ll ’tend to my own business.” 

“ Why don’t you turn in with us until day- 
light?” 

“ Can’t afford the time, lads, for there’s no 
knowin’ how soon that friend of yours may get tired 
of barkin’ his shins over the rocks of Quoddy Head. 


THE CRUISE OF THE PHCEBE 315 

Besides, I’m bound to have a little the start of you 
lads, seein’s how we’ve each got to take care of him- 
self after sunrise, watchin’ out for a chance to do 
the other an ill turn.” 

As he said this, and before the boys could make 
reply, Mr. Barnes was lost to view in the darkness, 
and the crew of the Phoebe stood staring at each 
other as if asking whether this visit and assistance by 
an exceedingly friendly enemy, was a reality or some 
odd dream. 


CHAPTER XVI 


THE PURSUER 

It was Tommy Downing who first gathered his 
senses which had been scattered in a certain degree 
by the friendly behavior of Eliphalet Barnes, and he 
aroused his companions by saying impatiently : 

“ There’s no use of our standin’ here, lookin’ like 
a lot of dummies, because there’s considerable work 
to be done yet.” 

“ But Mr. Barnes seemed to think we’d better stay 
here at anchor till mornin’,” Dick replied, and 
Tommy seemingly exploded with wrath. 

“ That’s it I I knew that would be just the way 
of It! From this out It’ll be Mr. Barnes, Mr. 
Barnes, Mr. Barnes, all the time, till you’d think that 
bloomin’ old pirate was the salt of the earth! Mr. 
Barnes says we must stay here at anchor, an’ of course 
we must; it don’t make any difference what we think 
about it. Mr. Barnes says we must stand on our 
heads, an’ up comes our heels Into the air! Now 
my part of this ’ere business Is goln’ to be run ac- 
cordin’ to what I think, not ’cordin’ to what Mr. 
Barnes thinks ! ” 

“ Oh, Tommy! ” Ezra cried In surprise. “ What 
makes you so angry? Surely if It hadn’t been for 
Mr. Barnes the chances are the Phoebe would still 
be on that reef. I’m sure he behaved like a gen- 
316 


THE CRUISE OF THE PHOEBE 317 

tleman, an* didn’t attempt to dictate as to what we 
should do.” 

“ That’s just it,” Tommy cried, his anger appar- 
ently increasing. “ I want to know what it all 
means? He comes up here sweeter’n pie; works 
like a beaver helpin’ get the Phoebe off, an’ says when 
it’s all done that we’re enemies same’s we was be- 
fore. Now I counted on squarin’ off with Eliphalet 
Barnes in some way before I died, an’ yet how can 
a feller rough inter him very bad after what’s been 
done to-night?” 

“ Then you are angry simply because he has been 
friendly durin’ the past few hours? ” Ezra said with 
a laugh. 

‘‘ Well, it’s because I don’t make out what he’s 
drivin’ at by bein’ so terrible sweet; then agin after 
what’s just happened, we can’t very well make things 
hot for him to square off the Quoddy Head business. 
It’s all mixed up to me, an’ I’m beginnin’ to wish the 
Phoebe was back there on the rocks.” 

“Now don’t be foolish. Tommy,” Ezra said en- 
treatingly. “ You are not wishin’ anything of the 
kind. We were in a tight place with the chance of 
losin’ the smack, an’ perhaps she would have been a 
total wreck but for Mr. Barnes.” 

“ An’ then agin perhaps she wouldn’t.” 

“ Very true; but either way you put it Mr. Barnes 
has done us a big favor, an’ after it’s all over you fly 
into a temper about it. Now it strikes me, since we 
can’t understand his reasons for bein’ at the same 
time a friend and an enemy, that we’d best put it 
out of our minds, an’ attend to our own business.” 


3i8 the cruise OF THE PHOEBE 

“ That’s what I counted on doin’,’’ Master Down- 
ing cried irritably; “but you tell ’bout what Mr. 
Barnes advised, as if we’d got to run ’cordin’ to his 
ideas. Now because he said we’d better stay here 
till daybreak I’m thinkin’ it stands us in hand to 
get under way right off. He allowed as soon as we 
was afloat he’d do all he could to get square with us 
for havin’ sent after Mr. Carter. We know he’s 
yonder on the island, an’ I’m thinkin’ it’ll be the 
wisest plan to pull out as soon as possible.” 

Dick and Ezra, looking upon Mr. Barnes as a 
real friend because of his labor in their behalf, left 
unheeded the warning he gave them ; but now it was 
brought to mind both began to believe that Tommy 
might be in the right, and Ezra said soothingly to 
the lad: 

“ You may go ahead an’ do just what you please, 
but where are you countin’ on makin’ harbor if we 
get under way now? ” 

“ Inside of Quoddy Head,” Master Downing re- 
plied explosively, and his comrades repeated in sur- 
prise : 

“ Quoddy Head?” 

“ That’s what I said,” Tommy added with no 
little emphasis. “ I’m allowin’ to get just as far 
away from Eliphalet Barnes as possible in the twenty- 
four hours’ run.” 

“ But are you going to lose the chance of gettin’ 
lobsters around here? ” Ezra asked in bewilderment. 

“ That’s exactly what I believe in doin’. While 
Eliphalet Barnes is on the island I’d a good deal 
rather give it a wide berth, even though he has 


THE CRUISE OF THE PHCEBE 319 

helped us out of a nasty scrape. Of course, if you 
fellers hold to it that we ought’er pick up what lob- 
sters we can, Eli give in, ’cause it’s two against one; 
but don’t forget that we went on the reef through 
carelessness, an’ may strike a good deal harder luck 
by bein’ so reckless as to hang ’round where that pi- 
rate can get at us.” 

Being thus reminded that through his lack of 
prudence the Phoebe had struck the rocks, Dick could 
not well oppose Master Downing any longer, there- 
fore he held his peace, and Ezra said in a tone of 
resignation, as if having come to believe that it would 
be useless to argue : 

“Go ahead. Tommy I Give your orders an’ 
we’ll obey ’em, no matter what we may think. It’s 
pretty hard to believe that after this night Eliphalet 
Barnes will be lookin’ for a chance to do us harm; 
but we’ll allow you’ve got the rights of it.” 

“ Then it’s a case of gettin’ the anchors inboard 
right lively, an’ givin’ the island a wide berth as we 
go around it, in the hope that Eliphalet may believe, 
because he ain’t seein’ us, that we’re followin’ his 
advice.” 

“Where do you suppose he went?” 

“ Over to the old man Barker’s, I reckon, 
’cordin’ to the way he talked. Them two always 
have been thicker’n thieves, an’ Abel Saunders used 
to say that Barker knew more about Eliphalet’s smug- 
glin’ than any other man.” 

Tommy set about obeying his own commands by 
heaving in on the anchor cable with a will, the other 
partners following his example after a brief time of 


320 THE CRUISE OF THE PHGEBE 

hesitation, and within five minutes the Phoebe, so 
lately entrapped by the reef and Dick’s carelessness, 
was skimming over the waves in a wide detour around 
Isle au Haut, with Master Downing at the helm. 

“ Why not stop near about Swans island? ” Ezra 
asked as he went into the wheel-house after having 
started the motor, and Tommy replied curtly : 

“ Because it ain’t far enough away from Eliphalet 
Barnes. Roundabout here is his stampin’ ground, 
an’ I don’t count on givin’ him a chance to pay us any 
visit for quite a spell. Say, don’t you think you fel- 
lers better be humpin’ yourselves puttin’ things to 
rights? With all the weight we’re carryin’ astern 
this ’ere smack’s steerin’ pretty wild, an’ she ought’er 
be trimmed.” 

“ We’d just begun to do that when, thinkin’ we 
might pick up quite a cargo around Swans island, I 
came to talk about it,” Ezra replied as if apolo- 
gizing for his neglect of duty, and then he went aft 
again, saying to Dick when he was in the cuddy : 

“ Tommy’s jest like a bear with a sore head, an’ 
we’d better let him have his own way, for it don’t 
make much difference if we do go as far east as 
Quoddy Head. In case Eliphalet Barnes should do 
anything in the way of mischief, which I doubt, he 
would be able to say we’d brought all the trouble 
on ourselves. Now we’ll set things to rights, an’ 
then get breakfast, for I suppose that driver of ours 
won’t allow we need any sleep to-night.” 

Even though Master Downing might have been 
willing that his partners should follow their inclina- 
tion, there was no opportunity for rest during the 


THE CRUISE OF THE PHCEBE 321 

hours of darkness, for before the smack was put into 
sailing trim another day had come. 

Tommy ran straight away to the southward five or 
six miles before hauling around on the northerly 
course necessary if they counted on making Quoddy 
Head, and although Dick and Ezra did not approve 
of so far extending the cruise without putting in 
alongshore to add to their cargo, neither ventured 
any protest. 

Ezra seemingly settled the matter when he said to 
Dick: 

“ Let him have his own way, an’ then if anythin’ 
happens It can’t be charged against us. At the worst, 
It’s only a question of runnin’ forty-eight hours 
longer than seems necessary, an’ It’s certain we shall 
pick up a few lobsters roundabout the Head.” 

“ Yes, an’ while so doin’ be in the very midst of 
Ellphalet Barnes’ friends,” Dick grumbled, “ al- 
though, after last night’s happenings. I’m not much 
afraid he’ll work us any great mischief.” 

Master Downing, after putting to sea as has been 
said, laid the course direct for Quoddy Head, not at- 
tempting to engage In conversation with his part- 
ners; but seeming to hold himself aloof from them 
In the pilot-house. 

Not until the Phoebe was in sailing trim and break- 
fast had been made ready, did Ezra go on deck, and 
then it was to summon Tommy to the morning meal, 
asking carelessly as he took the helm: 

“ In case we keep straight on, when do you count 
on makin’ Quoddy Head?” 

“ This side of midnight if nothin’ happens,” Mas- 


322 THE CRUISE OF THE PHGEBE 

ter Downing replied curtly. “ Hold her as she’s 
goin’, an’ don’t try to tinker with the wheel ropes, 
though I reckon you couldn’t put her ashore here; 
but at the same time I’d rather you fellers looked 
sharp after your steerin’.” 

Ezra could well afford to laugh at his partner’s 
crustiness. The Phoebe had come off the rocks 
where at one time it had seemed she must go to 
pieces, and gave no token of having suffered because 
of contact with the ledge. It was a piece of rare 
good fortune, as also was the fact that the smuggler 
had lent a hand when it was most needed, and surely 
there was no reason why the boys should allow them- 
selves to be annoyed because, for the first time since 
coming aboard the smack. Master Downing had lost 
his temper. 

Tommy remained what was for him an unusually 
long time in the cuddy, because, as Ezra afterward 
learned, of having entered into a discussion with 
Dick regarding Eliphalet Barnes’ intent to do them 
harm after having shown himself so friendly, and 
he was yet thus engaged when the Phoebe was off 
Long Island, two miles or more distant. 

Then it was that Ezra saw a small schooner, evi- 
dently a fisherman, putting out on a course which, if 
continued, would bring her directly in the path of the 
Phoebe, and through the speaking-tube he gave such 
information to Master Downing, saying in conclu- 
sion : 

“ It strikes me that you might learn from the 
fisherman if there were any lobsters for sale right 
around here. Surely if such was the case, we could 


THE CRUISE OF THE PHGEBE 323 

pick ’em up without bein’ afraid of Barnes’ inter- 
ferin’.” 

Tommy was on deck in a twinkling, all signs of 
ill-temper having vanished, perhaps because of the 
heated argument with Dick, and considerably to 
Ezra’s surprise he said in a tone of approbation: 

“ I reckon you’re right, Ezra, an’ we’ll speak that 
schooner if so be she holds her course. I’m willin’ 
to admit that I got considerably mixed up over 
Barnes’ actions last night, an’ most likely made a 
fool of myself. Of course there’s no reason why we 
shouldn’t do what we can toward takin’ on a cargo 
alongshore.” 

Although Ezra should have gone below to get his 
own breakfast, he remained in the pilot-house until 
they were come within hailing distance of the 
schooner, Tommy having swung the Phoebe inshore 
so that he might come up under the fisherman’s 
stern. 

“Ahoy on the schooner! Any lobsters for sale 
roundabout your place ? ” 

The fisherman came up into the wind, thus show- 
ing that he was inclined for a conversation, and 
Tommy gave the signal to slow down. 

“ I’m allowin’ we’ve got quite a few if you’re 
payin’ price enough,” came the reply from the 
schooner’s deck; “but we ain’t keen to sell for a 
song.” 

Now it was that Master Downing forgot all his 
forebodings and suspicions. The prospect of being 
able to drive a bargain had made him once more the 
shrewd lobster-buyer, and he replied banteringly: 


324 the cruise of THE PHGEBE 

“ We ain’t countin’ on makin’ more’n a dollar 
apiece out’er what we take, an’ if so be you’ve got 
any to sell at eight cents a pound, we’ll buy ’em.” 

“Have to weigh ’em out, eh?” 

“ No; we’ll allow they’ll run a pound an’ a half.” 

“ What are they worth to the westward? ” 

“ That’s what I can’t say,” Tommy replied, and 
with truth, since it was possible the market price 
might have advanced or fallen since the Phoebe left 
Westbay. 

“ I allow you’ve got some idee of what they’re 
fetchin’.” 

“ Well, a week ago they were worth nearabout 
fifteen cents delivered in Boston, so if you’ve got very 
many of ’em, of course it would pay you to carry 
them in yourself.” 

“ I don’t allow there’s more’n three or four hun- 
dred to be picked up on Long Island, an’ seein’s how 
it wouldn’t pay us to make the run to the westward 
for that number, we’ll sell to you for ten cents.” 

“ I don’t dare to pay it,” Tommy replied. 
“ We’ve got to make a profit if we count on payin’ 
freight an’ runnin’ expenses. Perhaps we might 
chance it if you had a full cargo for us; but to take 
on a few hundred ain’t any object.” 

“ All right. I guess you may have ’em, though 
it seems a good deal like robbery,” the speaker on 
board the schooner said with a laugh. “ I can’t put 
back now, so run in an’ tell the folks Jim Beals said 
you was to have what’s in his car at eight cents.” 

“ Ay, ay,” Tommy replied, and with a view to 
economy of time he immediately gave the signal for 


THE CRUISE OF THE PHCEBE 325 

full speed ahead, saying a moment later much to 
Ezra’s satisfaction, we’ll skin this ’ere coast to- 
day, I reckon, but I don’t feel like bangin’ ’round 
here very long ’cause Eliphalet’s sure to be makin’ 
Eastport way mighty soon.” 

Ezra went below to tell Dick that Tommy had 
come to his senses at last, and while there decided to 
take advantage of the opportunity to get breakfast 
before they should begin taking in lobsters. 

He had hardly more than begun when Master 
Downing shouted through the tube: 

“ Get up here lively, Ezra ! There’s a power boat 
of some kind cornin’ out from Long Island, an’ I ain’t 
jest certain who’s runnin’ her.” 

“ If Mr. Carter don’t get hold of Eliphalet 
Barnes pretty soon Tommy will die of fright,” Dick 
said as Ezra obeyed the summons, and when the 
senior partner was standing at the pilot-house door, 
it could readily be seen that there was no opportunity 
of avoiding the on-coming craft even though the 
boys felt so disposed. 

“ She can sail two miles to our one, an’ has evi- 
dently put out to speak us,” Ezra said as he looked 
critically at the little craft which was coming down 
so swiftly upon them. “ You may as well hold up 
for her, Tommy; we know it can’t be Barnes, for 
he certainly was at Isle au Haut when we left, an’ 
couldn’t have passed us.” 

Realizing the truth of his partner’s statement 
Tommy swung the Phoebe around ever so little to 
meet the stranger, and five minutes later a cry of 
surprise burst from his lips : 


326 THE CRUISE OF THE PHCEBE 

“ It’s Mr. Carter ! I wonder where he got that 
boat? If he’s sharp, now’s the time when he can lay 
Eliphalet Barnes by the heels.” 

“What shall we do, Tommy?” Ezra asked in 
perplexity. “ After what the smuggler did for us 
last night it doesn’t seem right that we should set 
this officer on his track, an’ yet — ” 

“ Do you mean that because Barnes helped us off 
the reef we’re bound to lend a hand in his smugglin’ 
business, for that’s what it will amount to if we hold 
our tongues now?” Tommy cried fiercely. “Mr. 
Carter’s sure to ask if we have seen anything of 
him, an’ it’s a case of lyin’ jest ’cause Eliphalet took 
it into his head to be friendly for a spell, or of tellin’ 
the truth.” 

“ Of course we’re bound to give him all the infor- 
mation we can,” Ezra said slowly; “but it goes 
mightily against the grain. When you come right 
down to facts. Tommy, if it hadn’t been for Barnes 
we’d have stayed on that reef,perhaps, until the Phoebe 
went to pieces, an’ now, within four or five hours after 
he did for us what nobody else would at that time, 
we’re goin’ to jump the officers down on him.” 

“ Well, I don’t know about jumpin’ the officers 
down on him,” Tommy replied grimly, “ for it ain’t 
such a very long while ago that Mr. Carter had 
Barnes to rights in our cuddy, an’ then didn’t hold 
him. Tellin’ where we believe Eliphalet Barnes is, 
ain’t givin’ him over as a prisoner by considerable.” 

Ezra’s face brightened at the possibility that the 
information which they should give to the officer 
might not result in the capture of the smuggler to- 


THE CRUISE OF THE PHOEBE 327 

ward whom he was feeling very friendly, and at that 
point the conversation ceased because the officer’s 
craft was within hailing distance. 

“Ahoy there 1 ” Mr. Carter shouted from the 
bow, as he waved his hand imperatively; but before 
Tommy had time to give the signal to slow down, the 
officer had recognized the Phoebe. 

“Ahoy, lads I Where are you bound?” 

“ Alongshore, sir. Pickin’ up a cargo,” Ezra 
replied. 

“ I don’t suppose you’ve seen anything of our 
smuggler, have you ? ” 

“ We run on a reef last night, an’ he turned to 
like a major to help us off.” 

Mr. Carter stared at the lad as if not believing the 
statement, and Ezra added: 

“ I’m allowin’ it don’t seem reasonable; but it’s a 
fact just the same. He came aboard when one of 
the fishermen refused to lend a hand unless we paid 
a big price, an’ it was through him that we succeeded 
in gettin’ clear of the rocks without any damage.” 

“ Then I fancy you are looking on him as a warm 
personal friend by this time?” Mr. Carter said sar- 
castically, and Ezra replied with a laugh: 

“ I’m not certain we can say quite that, for he 
warned us plainly that we might expect he’d pay us 
off for havin’ sent to you.” 

“ That is Eliphalet Barnes to a dot,” Mr. Carter 
said laughingly. “ There’s a queer streak in the 
man that you can’t but admire ; though it doesn’t show 
itself very often. I’ll come alongside and you $hall 
tell me the story.” 


328 THE CRUISE OF THE PHCEBE 

The two boats were brought as near together as 
was safe while the sea was so choppy, and Ezra told 
in detail all the happenings of the night, asking when 
the story was finished : 

“ Did you get that boat at Eastport? ” 

“No; she was sent me from Portland. So 
Barnes thought I was scrapin’ my shins over the rocks 
on Quoddy Head? As a matter of fact I was wait- 
ing for some kind of a craft which would give me 
a fair show in the chase. All the people down in 
that section are not in the smuggling business, and it 
wasn’t difficult to get a clew to the smuggler’s where- 
abouts. He isn’t expecting to see me hereabouts, 
and I’m hoping to be able to come upon him un- 
awares this time, when I will guarantee he doesn’t 
give me the slip as easily as when I had him trapped 
in your cuddy. Now, then, describe to me this man 
Barker’s place, so that I shan’t make any mistake at 
the start.” 

Tommy gave the desired information to the best 
of his ability, and having done so, said: 

“ We’d like to do what we can toward pickin’ up 
a cargo of lobsters roundabout the islands here; but 
I ain’t in favor of it if there’s a chance Barnes can 
come at us. Ezra an’ Dick seem to think that be- 
cause he was so friendly last night, there’s little risk 
he’ll try to do us harm; but I know him better, so 
if you’ve no objections to tellin’. I’d like to know 
what your plans are in case you don’t happen to 
strike him ’round Isle au Haut.” 

“ You may attend to your business without fear 


THE CRUISE OF THE PHCEBE 329 

of interruption from the smuggler at any point to 
the eastward of here, for I’ll guarantee he won’t get 
past me either by day or night. I’m equipped now 
for catching him, and intend to do it.” 

Then Mr. Carter’s craft was sent ahead, and the 
partners, for as a matter of course Dick had come 
out of the cuddy by this time, stood watching, the 
little boat as she seemingly leaped from one wave to 
another with a swiftness that was astonishing. 

“ That beats anything in the way of sailin’ I’ve 
ever seen,” Master Downing said, after gazing astern 
at the rapidly receding craft, and then his busi- 
ness instincts coming once more to the surface, he 
shouted peremptorily, “ Get a move on, one of you 
fellers I It’s pretty nigh certain'. Mr. Carter told 
the truth — at least it will be the truth from now till 
night, an’ we’ll get what lobsters we can while it’s 
safe to loaf ’round here.” 

Half an hour later the boys were taking in “ Jim 
Beals’ catch,” which consisted of four hundred and 
five marketable lobsters, and the remainder of the 
day was much the same as wasted, for they visited 
every fisherman in the vicinity without being able to 
make a single purchase. 

“ I s’pose we ought’er put her right along, takin’ 
turn an’ turn about with the watches,” Tommy said 
as if uncertain whether he really meant what he 
said. “ It don’t seem as if we had any right to lay 
still jest on account of its bein’ night.” 

“ It seems that way to me,” Dick replied emphat- 
ically. “ It’s a foolish trick to hurry down to 


330 THE CRUISE OF THE PHCEBE 

Quoddy Head where we know it won’t be possible to 
find many lobsters, an’ skip all the islands that lay 
in the course.” 

“ We can take ’em in on our way back,” Tommy 
suggested, much as if he was willing to be convinced 
to the contrary. 

“ You won’t be willin’ to stop then, because of 
not knowin’ where Eliphalet Barnes may be,” Ezra 
cried with a laugh. “ Now it’s certain Mr. Car- 
ter is between him and us, an’ there’s no good reason 
why we shouldn’t call on all the fishermen nearabout, 
even though they haven’t any lobsters on hand. If 
we count on runnin’ this business all summer, we 
can’t afford to jump back and forth from Monhegan 
to Quoddy Head, never lookin’ in anywhere for fear 
of gettin’ into trouble.” 

“ What is it you want to do? ” Master Downing 
asked. 

“ Anchor here for the night, an’ start out as early 
as you please to-morrow with the idea of makin’ a 
clean sweep of the coast. It isn’t reasonable to sup- 
pose we’ll be able to pick up many lobsters; but we 
shall be puttin’ things in trim for the next cruise.” 

“ All right, we’ll stop, an’ I’m hopin’ you fellers’ll 
turn in as soon as you’ve swallowed supper, so’s there 
won’t be a row when I want to get under way at 
daybreak,” and Master Downing took the precau- 
tion of putting out another anchor in case the wind 
increased during the night. 

When this had been done he set about getting 
the evening meal, allowing his partners to give some 


THE CRUISE OF THE PHCEBE 331 

little assistance, but performing the greater portion 
of the work himself. 

“ Now it’s a case of takin’ things comfortable- 
like, without worryin’ ’bout what Barnes may do,” 
Tommy said as he seated himself at the table. “ I 
ain’t allowin’ that Mr. Carter will catch our smug- 
gler in any very short time; but while he’s hangin’ 
’round here Eliphalet will be careful to keep well to 
the westward.” 

This quite naturally led the conversation around 
to what Barnes might do to them, if opportunity of- 
fered; but because neither Dick nor Ezra believed 
he would make any attempt at carrying his threat 
into execution after having been so friendly, the 
discussion was not particularly animated, especially 
since all hands gave remarkably close attention to 
the food before them. 

Tommy had just ventured the remark that Eliph- 
alet Barnes was the “ slipperiest customer ” to be 
found on the Maine coast, when a sharp blow on the 
side of the Phoebe told that some small craft had 
come alongside. 

“ Better be careful what you say, for that may 
be him,” Dick said with a laugh, and Tommy replied 
in a matter-of-fact tone: 

“ It wouldn’t start me a little bit, for it’ll take 
more’n Mr. Carter to keep him west of here when 
he’s made up his mind to go east.” 

“Well, lads, have you finished work for the 
day?” came a voice from the head of the compan- 
ion-way, and the customs inspector descended the 
stairs. 


332 THE CRUISE OF THE PHCEBE 

After we’ve eaten all we need, washed the 
dishes, an’ set the cuddy to rights, we’ll call it a day’s 
work, I reckon,” Tommy said glibly, and the smile 
died from his face very suddenly as he guessed from 
Mr. Carter’s manner that the visit was not purely 
a social one. 

“ I have come for assistance,” the officer began 
abruptly, “ and prefer that you should volunteer 
rather than force me into impressing you, as I have 
the right to do. I believe Barnes is on Marshalls 
island at this moment; but if not, I have good cause 
for thinking he will be there before morning. I 
want you to run over and find him.” 

“ Is there any reason why you don’t want to go ? ” 
Tommy interrupted. 

“ Yes; if he is there, I can answer for it that the 
old fox is keeping a sharp watch, and the moment 
I heave in sight, he will get under way in a power 
boat, which, while it isn’t as fast as mine, would 
give me a hard chase, with the chances of escaping in 
the darkness. If he isn’t there, and I put in an ap- 
pearance, his friends will contrive some means of 
warning him that I am near at hand.” 

“ You surely don’t think we can go there an’ cap- 
ture him ? ” Ezra asked in surprise. 

“ Certainly not. What I want is that you shall 
go over under the pretense of looking for lobsters. 
It will be an easy matter to learn if he is on the is- 
land, because he won’t be afraid to show himself, and 
you will find there as snug a harbor for the night as 
here,” Mr. Carter replied, as if believing he had ex- 
plained his plan fully. 


THE CRUISE OF THE PHCEBE 333 

‘‘ But what good will it do you for us to find out 
where he is?” Tommy asked, not looking particu- 
larly well pleased with thus being forced, so to 
speak, into the work of trapping the smuggler. 

“ In case he is there, you can hoist one lantern, 
and no suspicion will be raised, for you generally 
have riding lights out in the night. There are but 
two places where he would be likely to moor his boat 
for the night — one on the west, and the other on the 
south side of the island. You carry both red and 
green lights; in case he is now, or comes to anchor 
later, in the west cove, leave the green lantern alight, 
and the red one if his craft is on the southerly side. 
I will lay between here and Burnt Coal, where I can 
keep you in sight. When a single lantern is hoisted, 
ril come on at full speed, and before arriving can 
easily make out what color youYe showing.” 

“ Do you allow that Eliphalet Barnes will see us 
foolin’ ’round with lanterns an’ not mistrust the 
meanin’ of ’em? ” Tommy asked sharply. 

“ I don’t believe he will pay any attention to what 
you do, for the very good reason that at Stoning- 
ton I gave out my intention of getting to Portland as 
soon as possible, and set off as if in a hurry. I’m 
supposing that Barnes will get word of that, even 
if he hasn’t done so already, and count that he has 
shaken me off the scent.” 

Neither of the boys made reply. Even Tommy 
did not look upon the officer’s plan with favor, while 
Ezra had decided objections against aiding in the 
capture of a man who had but lately been so kind to 
them. 


334 the cruise OF THE PHGEBE 

“ You won’t be able to carry on your business in 
peace while Barnes remains at liberty, for however 
friendly he may have shown himself when you were 
on the reef, he has given fair warning that he’ll take 
revenge because you sent for me. It’s your own 
safety that you’ll be working for, and surely that 
should be sufficient inducement.” 

“ I suppose we’ll have to tackle the job,” Dick 
said, speaking slowly and thoughtfully; “but it’s a 
mighty mean trick to pay within twenty-four hours 
of the time when he lent us a hand as no other there- 
about would.” 

“ His helping float your smack was to show him- 
self in the light of Good Samaritan, and he has often 
done similar acts only to work harm later to those 
whom he befriended. Surely you, who are already 
charged with smuggling a Chinaman, have every rea- 
son for wanting to cut his career short. Remember, 
that until he can be brought to book, you are the ones 
the law will hold responsible for what was done off 
Vinalhaven.” 

“ When do you want us to get under way? ” Ezra 
asked, as if convinced by the argument, and eager to 
have done with a disagreeable task as soon as pos- 
sible. 

“ At once; my motor boat isn’t far away, and I’ll 
go on board her at once. Make it appear as if you 
had forgotten to put out a riding light, and there is 
little chance of arousing any suspicion.” 

“ Very well, we’ll start,” and Ezra arose to his 
feet, while Tommy remained staring at the food be- 


THE CRUISE OF THE PHGEBE 


335 

fore him as if uncertain what part he would play in 
this game. 

Mr. Carter went on deck, and an instant later the 
sound of oars could be heard, telling that he was 
pulling rapidly away, whereupon Dick asked sharply 
of Master Downing: 

“Well, why don’t you get a move on? Surely 
there’s no one on this coast more afraid of Eliphalet 
Barnes than you, an’ I wonder you’re not drivin’ us 
to the last notch for fear he’ll slip off before we can 
make the island.” 

“ Look here,” and now Tommy spoke sharply, as 
if he was displeased. “ I ain’t willin’ to say right 
out that I’m afraid of the smuggler; but all the same 
I’ll feel a deal better when he’s out of this part of the 
country. For the government officers to take him is 
somethin’ that don’t concern us; but when it comes 
to stickin’ our noses in, that’s another matter. 
’Cordin’ to the way I’m lookin’ at this ’ere trick, 
we’ll be makin’ fools of ourselves.” 

“ Do you refuse to have any share in it? ” Dick 
asked in surprise. 

“ I’ll do my part toward runnin’ the smack over 
there, though I’d a good deal rather not, an’ after 
that I set back in the harness, no matter how much 
Mr. Carter coaxes, or how many threats he makes,” 
and Tommy walked slowly out of the cuddy to the 
deck. 


CHAPTER XVII 


A WARNING 

Ezra made no move toward leaving the cuddy 
when Tommy went on deck, although it was neces- 
sary all hands turn to and raise the anchors before 
the Phoebe could be gotten under way, and Dick 
looked at him inquiringly. 

“ Well,” he asked after a pause, “ what are you 
goin’ to do about it? We are bound to play the 
game as Mr. Carter proposes, I suppose?” 

“ It’s a mighty mean trick, to do Barnes what 
harm we can when but for him our smack would be 
still on the reef, an’ all our business schemes be at an 
end,” Ezra said bitterly. “ Because of havin’ so 
lately lent a hand, the smuggler won’t have any sus- 
picion that we are workin’ against him, an’ yet when 
he is taken we’ll be the ones who have really done 
it I” 

“ Why didn’t you tell Mr. Carter that you 
wouldn’t take any part in his plan? ” 

“ Because I believe he could make a lot of trouble 
for us if we refused to lend a hand. I’ve heard 
somethin’ about an officer of the law havin’ the right 
to call upon anybody for help at such a time as this, 
an’ if a feller don’t do as he says, it’s possible to 
arrest him,” Ezra replied gloomily. 

“ Then if the thing has got to be done, there isn’t 

336 


THE CRUISE OF THE PHCEBE 337 

any sense in bangin’ back, particularly after bavin’ 
said that we’d do it,” and Dick spoke impatiently, 
whereupon Ezra went slowly on deck, saying as he 
did so: 

“ I don’t suppose there’s any way out of it; but 
I shall always feel that I’ve done the meanest kind 
of a trick.” 

The anchors were brought inboard ; Master Down- 
ing took the helm without speaking, and Dick went 
below to start the motor and overhaul the lanterns, 
that the agreed-upon signal might be made when 
information had been obtained. 

Slowly, as if realizing that this was a poor way 
to repay Mr. Barnes for having aided in hauling her 
off the rocks, the Phoebe came around in obedience to 
the helm, and Ezra fancied that she moved slug- 
gishly, rather than at her usual speed. 

“ Who’s goin’ ashore to do Carter’s dirty work? ” 
Tommy asked, five minutes later, and Ezra replied 
curtly : 

“ I won’t go alone I ” 

“ Then I reckon it’ll be a case of all hands tacklin’ 
the job, for I don’t have any idee of strikin’ out by 
my lonesome. To tell the truth. I’d be afraid to go 
where Barnes was, even though he did do us a mighty 
good turn.” 

“ Perhaps Dick will be willin’ ; I’ll find out,” and 
Ezra went below, but returned very shortly, saying 
moodily as he came to the door of the pilot- 
house : 

“ Dick ain’t willin’ to do it all ; but says he’ll go 
with us.” 


338 THE CRUISE OF THE PHCEBE 

“ An’ are we to leave the Phoebe at anchor with 
no one to look after her? ” 

“ There’s no other way.” 

“ S’posen Barnes should come aboard an’ run her 
off while we’re ashore?” 

“ There isn’t much chance of his doin’ that when 
he’s got a faster craft near at hand.” 

Then the conversation ceased entirely until the 
smack was come as near the eastern shore of Mar- 
shalls island as Tommy dared to run, and he gave 
the word to let go the anchor, after signaling Dick 
to stop the motor. 

“ Now, then,” Ezra cried, as he pulled the dory 
alongside, and speaking in the tone of one who is 
eager to perform a most disagreeable task as quickly 
as possible, “ let’s have this thing settled at once, 
so we can pull out of here. We don’t know where 
to go after gettin’ ashore, therefore I propose that 
each sets off in a different direction, and he who gets 
information concerning Barnes, is to come back to the 
smack an’ set the signals.” 

“ Are we to wander like a lot of foolish sheep 
straight across the island? ” Dick asked. 

“ No ; you shall go to that house under the hill, 
where we stopped last when we landed here; Tommy 
is to make for the shanties near the head of the cove, 
an’ I’ll go around the point to the westerly harbor.” 

Tommy made no objection to this plan, for he 
believed Ezra had marked out for himself the course 
which was most likely to result in success, if the find- 
ing of Mr. Barnes could be so considered. Dick 


THE CRUISE OF THE PHCEBE 339 

was indifferent as to where he went so that the task 
was not prolonged. 

The arrangement as made by Ezra was carried 
out immediately the dory reached the shore, the boys 
separating without further conversation, and in a 
twinkling all three were swallowed up by the dark- 
ness. 

Ezra walked rapidly, for it was in his mind that 
the smuggler would be found by Tommy, if indeed 
Barnes was on the island, and he had no desire to be 
near at hand when the discovery was made, but hoped 
the signals would be displayed before he returned 
from the western cove. 

Because of his belief that he was going directly 
away from what was to him the danger point, he 
gave little heed to his surroundings, but pushed 
straight on until he had nearly stumbled upon two 
men who, as it seemed, had suddenly come out of 
the ground. 

Leaping back with a cry of mingled surprise and 
alarm, he half-turned as if to beat a retreat, when 
one of the strangers seized him roughly by the arm, 
and he was dragged from out the shadow of the 
bushes toward the water’s edge. 

“ Hello, it’s one of my young lobster buyers ! ” a 
familiar voice cried, and, looking up into the face 
which was peering down upon him, Ezra saw Mr. 
Barnes. 

By the irony of fate he himself had chosen the 
very course which led to the end of the search, and 
he it was who must give the signal which, as he 


340 THE CRUISE OF THE PHCEBE 

really believed, would betoken the meanest act of his 
life. 

“ What are you doin’ here? ” the smuggler asked 
suspiciously. “ Didn’t you land on this island just 
after noon ? ” 

“ Yes, an’ now we’ve come back.” 

“ What for?” 

“ That’s what I can’t tell you,” and, acting upon 
the impulse of the moment, Ezra resolved to so 
frame his replies that Barnes could not fail to under- 
stand the officers were near at hand. 

“ Can’t, eh ? ” the smuggler cried roughly, as he 
tightened his grasp on the boy’s arm, only to release 
it entirely an Instant later, as he asked with a laugh, 
“ Perhaps you think it wouldn’t be jest the square 
thing to lend a hand at Carter’s orders agin me, after 
our work on the reef, eh? You needn’t be afraid 
to speak up, lad, for I know full well that the officer 
went aboard your smack less’n an hour ago,” Barnes 
added as Ezra remained silent. “ I ain’t quite the 
chump he takes me for, an’ can tell you mighty near 
where he Is this very minute.” 

“ It was a mean thing to come here after all you’d 
done for us,” Master Upton said hesitatingly. 
“ You had a chance to get square with us for sendin’ 
after the officers, though we only did It to protect 
ourselves, an’ instead, you helped save the Phoebe.” 

“ Look here, lad, I ain’t goin’ to ask any more 
questions, for from what I saw of Carter’s move- 
ments, an’ by cornin’ across you here, I can figger out 
the trick as plain as if it was writ down. Do you 


THE CRUISE OF THE PHCEBE 


341 


think I’d be bangin’ ’round this island if I wasn’t 
ready to meet your friend. Go ahead an’ carry out 
your part of the work — I won’t lay it up agin you 
— an’ then, if you like a bit of fun, keep an eye out 
when that bloomin’ inspector comes ashore.” 

“ But you’re not goin’ to stay here? ” Ezra asked. 

“ That’s jest what I am goin’ to do, my son. Are 
you to go back to Long Island?” 

Ezra shook his head. 

“ Got some other way to send him word, eh ? 
All right, the sooner he comes the better, an’ if it’s 
any favor to you I won’t tell him we happened to 
come together, for I’m allowin’ you don’t feel like 
confessin’ you ain’t so terrible keen to play the spy 
on a man you was friendly with last night.” 

Ezra was bewildered. He could not understand 
why the smuggler had so little care as to his own 
safety, nor why he was willing that information re- 
garding himself should be given to the officers of the 
law. The lad turned as if to retrace his steps, and 
then halted to say : 

“ Ain’t you goin’ to get away? ” 

** Not a bit of it, my son; what I’m wantin’ is to 
see Carter, for I’m good an’ ready to meet him. 
Go ahead with your job, an’ don’t pay any attention 
to me, though it’ll be worth your while to keep an 
eye out on what happens.” 

Having said this, Mr. Barnes and his companion 
disappeared amid the bushes, and Ezra slowly re- 
traced his steps in a maze of wonder and perplexity. 

On arriving at the point where the dory had been 


342 


THE CRUISE OF THE PHGEBE 


drawn up on the shore, neither of his partners were 
to be seen, therefore he shoved the boat into deep 
water, and went aboard the Phoebe. 

The signal lanterns were in the cuddy where Dick 
had left them, and Ezra hoisted the white one, after 
lighting it, to the masthead of the only spar. Then 
came the question as to whether the green or the 
red should be shown on the pilot-house, and, unable 
to decide, because the smuggler had been found mid- 
way the two coves, he trusted to chance by shutting 
his eyes and groping around until his hands came in 
contact with one of the lanterns. 

It was the green one which had thus been blindly 
chosen, and, lighting the wick, he placed it on top of 
the pilot-house, after which he seated himself on the 
starboard rail waiting for the hail which would tell 
that one or both of his partners were ready to come 
on board. 

Never had the lad been in such a painful state of 
perplexity. He had much the same as warned Mr. 
Barnes of what was being done against him, and by 
so doing been false to the trust reposed in him by 
the officer. Then again, he knew beyond a perad- 
venture that the smuggler intended to make an attack 
upon Mr. Carter — already had his plans laid — 
and it was his duty to tell the inspector of what was 
in store for him. If he did this last he would have 
played the traitor to both, without having been true 
even to himself. 

By turning the matter over in his mind carefully, 
Ezra succeeded in making himself as uncomfortable 


THE CRUISE OF THE PHCEBE 343* 

as a lad well could be, and an exclamation of relief 
burst from his lips when he heard Tommy Downing’s 
voice ; 

“ Hello, Ezra! Come ashore after us I ” 

Master Upton hung in the wind while one might 
have counted twenty, trying to decide whether or no 
he should give his partners a correct account of what 
had been said or done since his parting with them, 
and Tommy called impatiently : 

‘‘Are you there, Ezra?” 

“ Of course I am,” was the curt reply. 

“Then why don’t you come ashore after us? It 
won’t pay to stay here too long I ” 

“ I’m cornin’ as soon as I can cast off this painter, 
an’ reckon you won’t come to any harm even if it 
happens to take me two or three minutes to do the 
job,” and Ezra leaped into the dory, a mirthless 
smile coming to his face as he heard Tommy say 
in a cautious tone: 

“ Somethin’ has gone wrong with him, an’ that’s 
a fact. He’s as ugly as a bear with a sore head, an’ 
yet he couldn’t have had as much of a tramp as we 
took, seein’s how he got back so quickly.” 

“ Well, it seems that you was the lucky one,” Dick 
said as his partner ran the dory’s bow up on the 
shore near where he was standing, and Ezra asked 
with no little show of ill temper: 

“ What do you mean by that? ” 

“ Why, you run across the smuggler, of course, 
else why are your lanterns out? ” 

“ Yes, I found him,” Ezra muttered. “ Why don’t 


344 the cruise OF THE PHCEBE 


you get in, or are you countin’ on standin’ there all 
night? ” 

“ Feelin’ mighty fine, ain’t you?” Dick said with 
a laugh, as he clambered into the dory, leaving 
Tommy the work of pushing her off into deep water. 

The senior partner made no reply to this ironical 
remark; but settled down to the oars as soon as the 
dory was afloat, and refused to answer any of the 
many questions which were put to him by his part- 
ners until the three were in the cuddy of the Phoebe. 
Then Dick said in a tone of one who gives a com- 
mand rather than asks a favor: 

“ Now, then! Tell us what has gone wrong with 
you, for it’s certain that somethin’ has happened to 
put you out of tune ? ” 

“ Isn’t it enough to make any fellow cross-grained 
to hunt down a man who has just done him a big 
favor? ” 

“ It was the same man who would have sent you to 
jail, if things had gone his way,” Tommy cried as 
if trying to reconcile himself to what had been done. 

“ You can’t say that, because there’s no knowing 
whether he would have dared make a charge against 
us for smugglin’ that stuff down Eastport way.” 

“ But it’s sure he put the Chinaman on board, 
which trick is likely to cost us a good deal of money,” 
Dick added, and Ezra replied sadly: 

“ But after all that he turned to an’ helped save the 
Phoebe from being wrecked.” 

“ I’ll agree it was a mighty mean trick in us to do 
what we have — but you found him, an’ put up the 
signals? ” 


THE CRUISE OF THE PHCEBE 345 

“ Yes,” Ezra said slowly. “ I found him, or per- 
haps I should say, he found me, an’ seemed to have a 
pretty good idee of why we had come back here, for 
— I might just as well tell the truth, because I have 
succeeded in playing false all the way round. When 
Barnes asked why we had come back I refused to an- 
swer, and he, knowing that Mr. Carter was close at 
hand, tumbled to the whole business.” 

“ Then he has run away? ” Tommy asked breath- 
lessly. 

“ That’s exactly what he hasn’t done. He claims 
that he don’t want to slip off, for some reason best 
known to himself. I’m thinkin’ there’ll be a pretty 
row on shore between now an’ mornin’ ; but whether 
there is or not, it seems as if I had shown myself to 
be the biggest kind of a fool.” 

“ I don’t know about that,” Tommy said de- 
cidedly. “ I’ve got no love for Eliphalet Barnes, an’ 
ought’er be feelin’ pretty good towards Mr. Carter, 
for he got us out of the scrape down to Quoddy 
Head; but at the same time it made me feel mighty 
mean to help track down the man who had the same 
as saved this ’ere smack.” 

“ Then you would have done just as I did? ” Ezra 
asked eagerly, and Master Downing replied with a 
laugh : 

“ I don’t know what I’d done, an’ there’s no need 
of tryin’ to figger it out since you settled the matter. 
The question is, what will be done ashore, an’ I’d like 
to be there when the inspector an’ the smuggler come 
together.” 

“ You’d better stay where you are,” Dick said em- 


346 THE CRUISE OF THE PHCEBE 

phatically. “ I ain’t blamin’ Ezra for doin’ what he 
did; but at the same time we’d best keep our noses 
out of the muddle from this on, if so be we can.” 

“ There’s no reason why we can’t go on deck, 
an’ perhaps we’ll hear somethin’ of what’s goin’ on,” 
Master Downing said as he arose to his feet, and 
without waiting for a reply went up the companion- 
way, his comrades following. 

The three lads entered the pilot-house, where they 
stood peering out into the darkness, listening in- 
tently for the slightest sound which would betoken 
the movements of either the pursuer or the pursued, 
and before having remained there very long the 
faint chug-chug-chuggIng of a screw in the water 
far to the* eastward, told that Mr. Carter had begun 
his portion of the work. 

“ He’s seen the green light,” Dick whispered, 
“ an’ has gone ’round to the west cove. Now watch 
out, an’ you’ll hear Barnes puttin’ off from this side 
the Island.” 

“ You won’t hear anythin’ of the kind,” Ezra said 
stoutly. “ Barnes has got a plan which I’m afraid 
means considerable mischief for the inspector, an’ If 
any Injury Is done Mr. Carter this night I shall be 
responsible for it.” 

“ Now don’t stew over that any longer. What’s 
been done can’t be undone, an’ there’s no need any 
one should know you the same as gave warnin’, un- 
less Barnes himself tells the story.” 

Five, ten, fifteen, twenty minutes passed, and still 
no sound could be heard from the island. It was 
as if a most profound peace reigned, and the boys 


THE CRUISE OF THE PHCEBE 


347 


were beginning to think they had been mistaken in 
fancying a power boat had passed them to eastward, 
when the chug-chug-chugging came once more over 
the waters, sounding nearer and nearer each mo- 
ment. 

“ Here comes the inspector, an’ he must have 
Barnes with him, else he wouldn’t have put off so 
soon,” Tommy cried excitedly. “ If Eliphalet had 
any plan for doin’ up Mr. Carter, it failed to work, 
an’ now I’m allowin’ there won’t be much smug- 
glin’ done around here for quite a spell.” 

Nearer and nearer came the power boat until it 
was possible for the lads to distinguish her outlines 
amid the gloom, and Dick whispered nervously: 

He’s bringin’ Barnes over here, an’ if that pre- 
cious smuggler comes face to face with us, I’m 
thinkin’ he’ll tell what you did, Ezra.” 

Master Upton was so anxious and excited that 
he could not make reply, and while the three stood 
in the pilot-house motionless and silent, the swiftly 
advancing boat swept past the Phoebe within twenty 
yards; but without slackening speed. 

When she was directly opposite, the crew of the 
smack were at the same time electrified and mysti- 
fied by hearing the voice of Mr. Barnes as he 
shouted : 

“ So long, lads ! When your friend the inspector 
comes up this way, tell him I’m headed for the 
Provinces ! ” 

The swift craft was lost to view in the darkness 
even while the smuggler was speaking, and the crew 
of the Phoebe stood gazing at each other in bewil- 


348 THE CRUISE OF THE PHCEBE 

derment and amazement, until Dick said emphat- 
ically : 

“ That must have been the boat Mr. Carter came 
here in! Do you suppose Mr. Barnes is runnin’ 
away with the inspector? ” 

“It looks like it,” Ezra replied thoughtfully; 
“ but yet Mr. Carter must have had his eyes open for 
trouble, an’ how could Barnes have got hold of him 
without some kind of a row such as we must have 
heard?” 

It was useless for the -boys to stand there spec- 
ulating without any means of arriving at a definite 
conclusion. From the island no sound could be 
heard, nor even a light seen. It was as if the fisher- 
men who made a home there had suddenly abandoned 
it. The very silence was oppressive to the lads, who 
felt that, because of the part they had played, the 
inspector’s plans had been overthrown, and after 
perhaps ten minutes had passed, Tommy said nerv- 
ously, speaking in a low tone as if fearing his words 
might be overheard: 

“ Say, fellers, let’s get out’er here. It’s like 
bein’ in a graveyard, an’ I’m afraid somethin’ terri- 
ble will happen.” 

“ How can it if Barnes has carried Mr. Carter 
off?” Dick asked irritably. 

“ I don’t know,” Tommy wailed; “ but I do wish 
somebody would make a noise! ” 

And somebody did “ make a noise ” just then, for 
the boys were startled by hearing the voice of the 
inspector from the shore, as he shouted loudly : 


THE CRUISE OF THE PHOEBE 349 

“ Ahoy on the smack I Come ashore ! Come 
ashore an’ take me off I ” 

“Well, I’ll be jiggered!” Tommy exclaimed, 
without making any move toward obeying the com- 
mand. “How did he get there?” 

“ Ahoy on the smack I ” came again from the 
shore, and this time Ezra answered the hail in a 
hesitating voice, as if uncertain whether he ought 
to make reply. 

“Come ashore and take me off!” Mr. Carter 
cried impatiently. “ Have you heard a boat go past 
you?” 

“ Ay, sir; we thought it was your craft that went 
by quite a spell ago, an’ Eliphalet Barnes hailed us 
as he passed.” 

“ One of you put ashore and take me off I The 
others stand by to get the smack under way ! ” 

By this time the crew of the Phoebe had gathered 
their senses sufficiently to act, and Tommy leaped into 
the dory, making very much unnecessary noise in 
order that the inspector might know his commands 
were being obeyed, as he said to his partners: 

“You can be weighin’ anchor; but if Mr. Car- 
ter thinks our craft will make any fist at chasin’ the 
one Eliphalet’s in, he’s mightily mistaken.” 

Then Master Downing pulled hurriedly to the 
shore where the inspector stood impatiently awaiting 
him, and in a twinkling the boat was headed for the 
smack once more, Mr, Carter in his eagerness having 
waded out knee-deep to clamber over the bow that no 
time might be lost. 


350 THE CRUISE OF THE PHCEBE 

“How did you get here?” Tommy asked inno- 
cently. 

“ Get here ! ” Mr. Carter cried angrily. “ I 
walked across the island, of course, and that miser- 
able smuggler played me a scurvy trick.” 

“ Did he steal your boat? ” 

“ Didn’t you say you heard him go past the 
smack? ” 

“ Yes, sir; but how did it happen that you let him 
get on board your craft? ” 

“We went around into the west cove after seeing 
your green light, and there lay what, in the dark- 
ness, looked to be Barnes’ power boat. We an- 
chored our craft alongside of his, after which my 
partner and I landed. We had hardly got amid the 
underbrush on our way to the shanty where I counted 
he would be found, when we heard our boat steaming 
out of the cove. Of course I knew it was one of 
Barnes’ tricks, and hurried over here to get your 
smack.” 

“ Where’s your partner? ” 

“ I left him on the island to stand watch in case 
Barnes should double back after finding that I have 
set off with you.” 

“ An’ do you think he can tackle Eliphalet Barnes 
alone?” Tommy asked, without any idea of giving 
offense, whereupon Mr. Carter cried angrily: 

“ You seem to think that man is a match for a 
dozen others I My partner will take the scoundrel, 
or cripple him for life! ” 

“ I don’t know ’bout that,” Tommy replied re- 
flectively. “ You’ve had three or four chances your- 


THE CRUISE OF THE PHCEBE 351 

self, an’ seem to have got the worst of it every time.” 

Such a remark was not well calculated to soothe 
the inspector’s ill temper, and the chances are he 
would have made an intemperate reply but for the 
fact that by this time they were alongside the Phoebe. 

“ Get under way at once ! ” he shouted perempto- 
rily, while leaping over the rail, and Dick ran into 
the cuddy to start the motor, for the anchor had al- 
ready been weighed, when Ezra asked in surprise : 

“ Do you count on catchin’ that boat with this 
smack? ” 

“ We’ll make a try for it,” Mr. Carter cried in a 
rage. 

“ But you said she was the smartest craft on the 
coast, an’ you must know that a lobster smack, with 
a well full of water, doesn’t move very quickly.” 

“What course shall I steer?” Tommy shouted 
from the pilot-house as the Phoebe began to forge 
ahead. 

“ Head her in the same direction you saw Barnes 
go,” Mr. Carter replied, and then it was as if he be- 
gan to realize how useless it would be to chase the 
power boat, which had evidently been built especially 
for speed, in such a craft as the Phoebe, for he 
muttered half to himself, yet sufficiently loud for 
Ezra to hear: 

“ I suppose it’s a fool trick, and I might as well 
admit at the beginning that I’ve been done up; but 
it goes mightily against the grain to lay idle.” 

“ Mr. Barnes must have come to the island in a 
power boat of some kind. Where is she?” Ezra 
asked. 


352 THE CRUISE OF THE PHCEBE 

“ I am allowing that he sent her away by one of 
his partners, for the craft which we took to be her 
was a water-logged dory, with a lobster pot set up in 
the stern to represent a motor. What puzzles me 
is, how he knew I was anywhere around? He 
must have had an inkling of it in order to have laid 
his plans so well. Where was he when you saw 
him? ” 

This was the question Ezra had been fearing to 
hear, and his voice trembled despite all his efforts 
to render it steady, as he replied: 

“ He and another man were walking round the 
point about half way between the two harbors.” 

“ But you showed the green light? ” 

“Yes, sir; I had to get out one Or the other, 
an’, not seeing any craft around here, counted that 
his boat must be in the west cove.” 

“What was he doing when you saw him?” 

“ Just walkin’ along, sir.” 

“Then you came aboard and made the signal?” 

“ Yes, sir.” 

Mr. Carter went forward to the wheel-house hur- 
riedly, like a man who feels the necessity of action 
and yet is unable to advance matters ever so slightly, 
while Ezra ran into the cuddy where he said to 
Dick, who had overheard this brief conversation: 

“ It was a mighty lucky thing for me he didn’t 
ask any more questions. I’d made up my mind the 
time had come to make a clean breast of it, for I 
wouldn’t have lied to him.” 

“ Well, what are we to do now? ” Dick asked in 
perplexity, and Ezra replied with a mirthless laugh: 


THE CRUISE OF THE PHCEBE 


353 


“ It strikes me we’ll come pretty near doing what- 
ever Mr. Carter orders, an’ the chances are this 
cruise won’t be a profitable one, for we can’t run 
back and forth along the coast without takin’ the 
chances of spoilin’ the few lobsters we’ve got in the 
well.” 

“ That’s what shan’t be done,” Dick said angrily. 
“ If the inspector insists on our carryin’ him back 
an’ forth, we’ll either make him give us a writin’ 
to show that the government will pay for the cargo, 
or else he must let us put into some port from which 
the lobsters can be shipped.” 

“ Accordin’ to appearances now, we’re as likely 
to have our business broken up by the inspector, as 
we were by Eliphalet Barnes. Go into the pilot- 
house, an’ see if you can get some inklin’ of what 
he counts on doin’. Surely he must come to his 
senses pretty soon, for he knows how swift his own 
boat is.” 

“ I guess I’ll look after the motor while you go 
an’ talk with him. He may begin to ask questions 
about what happened when I saw Barnes, an’ I’d 
rather not be obliged to say too much.” 

Dick hurried out of the cuddy determined to as- 
sert his rights as one of the owners, for there was 
a well defined idea in his mind that this Mr. In- 
spector Carter, however much authority he might 
have, could not cause them such a loss as must 
surely ensue if they were forced to cruise back and 
forth without opportunity of landing their perish- 
able cargo. 

Very little of satisfaction was had from the of- 


354 the cruise OF THE PHCEBE 

ficer. He was pacing to and fro just outside the 
pilot-house, asking now and then in quick, impatient 
tones if the Phoebe was going at her best speed, 
and when Dick ventured to suggest that this was 
a hopeless chase, he gave the lad to understand he 
was not to be interfered with, by saying: 

“ I’m running this boat now, and when I want 
advice from you, will ask it.” 

“ That’s all very well, sir,” Dick said stoutly, 
now sufficiently irritated to stand up for what he be- 
lieved was his rights. “ But you must remember 
we’ve got a thousand lobsters in the well that cost 
us eight cents a pound, an’ it don’t stand to reason 
we should lose good money, when you know as well 
as I that nothin’ can come of runnin’ after a boat 
that is able to make two miles to our one.” 

“ You will keep on as you are going,” Mr. Car- 
ter replied sharply, and turning on his heel he con- 
tinued to pace to and fro, while Dick, the sense of 
wrong in his mind growing greater each moment, 
stood irresolutely near the starboard rail, watching 
his every movement. 


CHAPTER XVIII 


THE AGREEMENT 

When the Phoebe had been running a full half 
hour at her best speed, but with no possibility of 
overtaking the inspector’s power boat unless it 
pleased Mr. Eliphalet Barnes to allow her to do so, 
Master Downing suddenly remembered that as yet 
he had had no supper. The visit of the officer at 
the very time when the crew of the smack would 
have partaken of the evening meal, caused the boys 
to forget even that they were hungry, and now when 
Tommy remembered the fact, it really seemed as if 
he was famishing. 

“ See here, Mr. Carter,” he said suddenly, lean- 
ing out of the pilot-house window to touch the in- 
spector on the shoulder. “ This is jest a case of 
bummin’ ahead in the darkness, an* anybody can 
look after the wheel. We fellows haven’t finished 
our supper yet, an’ if you’ll take the helm we’ll go 
below now, for you can’t expect us to run all night 
without any linin’ to our stomachs.” 

The officer came into the wheel-house mechanic- 
ally, as if his thoughts were anywhere rather than 
on the task in hand, and Tommy, pinching Dick 
to let him understand he had better follow, went 
hurriedly into the cuddy. 

“Now what’s up?” Ezra asked in surprise. 

355 


356 THE CRUISE OF THE PHCEBE 

“ Has Mr. Carter come to understand that chasin’ 
his boat is nothin’ more’n a waste of time? ” 

“ Understand nothin’ ! ” Master Downing cried 
in a tone of contempt. “ He’s so sore because of 
bein’ done up by Eliphalet Barnes that he can’t 
think of anythin’ else, an’ till he gets over the fit 
I’m allowin’ we’ll have to keep the Phoebe humpin’ 
herself. I told him we’d got to have our supper, 
an’ he’s at the helm now.” 

“ Do you suppose he understands how to run a 
craft like this? ” Ezra asked in a tone of anxiety. 

“ He ought’er, else how did it happen that he 
had sich a dandy boat as Eliphalet has skipped with? 
Besides, there ain’t nothin’ within ten miles that can 
bother him. I took good care to put well out to 
sea when we started, an’ it’s so dark he couldn’t 
tell whether we were followin’ the coast or runnin’ 
dead to the suthard. What about somethin’ to eat ? ” 

“ Bear a hand, an’ it won’t take long to fix up 
the supper again. It wasn’t more’n half eaten when 
Mr. Carter came aboard to tell us we must play the 
spy for him. What’s gone wrong with Dick?” 
and Ezra looked anxiously at his partner. 

‘‘ I’m sick of bein’ mixed up with this smugglin’ 
business, that’s what’s the matter with me,” Mas- 
ter Marshall replied curtly. “ I’d made up my 
mind to tell Mr. Carter that we wouldn’t keep on 
with this fool work any longer, usin’ up our gaso- 
line, wastin’ the time, an’ takin’ the chances of losin’ 
what lobsters we’ve got in the well.” 

“Why didn’t you do it?” 

“ He shut me up so quick that somehow I didn’t 


THE CRUISE OF THE JHGEBE 357 

dare, for it may be he’s got the right to make us 
obey his orders.” 

“ An’ that’s what I reckon he has,” Tommy said 
quickly, as he set about frying some stale bread in 
a generous allowance of bacon fat. “ Of course we 
can try to make the government pay us for the use 
of the smack; but Abel Saunders says you’ll grow 
gray headed before gettin’ a cent out of the swells 
in Washington, an’ he ought’er know, seein’s how 
he’s been tryin’ these three years to collect twenty 
dollars for pilotin’ the Revenue cutter.” 

“ If there was the least little bit of a chance that 
Mr. Carter could get his boat, I wouldn’t kick so 
hard,” Dick said gloomily; “ but the longer we run 
the further ahead is Eliphalet Barnes, an’ the in- 
spector ought’er know that even better than we. 
After supper I’m goin’ to have a plain talk with him, 
an’ find out if we’re playin’ this fool game for 
nothin’.” 

“ I wouldn’t do it, Dick,” Ezra said soothingly. 
“ We can afford to run till daylight, an’ by that 
time he’ll tumble to himself, I reckon. Let him 
take his full allowance at the wheel, an’ we’ll get 
along with some show of comfort, while Tommy 
don’t dare to drive us.” 

“ I don’t count on doin’ anythin’ of the kind,” 
Master Downing said placidly. “ As soon as I get 
my share of this fried bread an’ boiled potatoes, 
I’m goin’ to turn in for a snooze.” 

“But suppose he runs the smack on a rock?” 
Ezra asked with considerable show of alarm. 

“ There ain’t any near enough for him to strike. 


358 THE CRUISE OF THE PHCEBE 

an’ even if there was, we couldn’t stop him once 
he’d got his mind set on holdin’ any one course, so 
let him go his own gait, I say,” and Master Down- 
ing re-arranged the dishes on the table to make it 
look as if this was a fresh meal instead of the con- 
tinuation of an old one. 

As a matter of fact, all three lads were in a bet- 
ter temper after having thoroughly satisfied their 
hunger; but Tommy insisted on carrying out his 
intention of “ taking a snooze,” as was seen when 
he turned in all standing, and Ezra believed it his 
duty to speak with the inspector. 

“ I’ve got through wantin’ to hear him talk, till 
to-morrow mornin’, an’ then I’m goin’ to give him 
a piece of my mind, if he hasn’t turned the smack 
over to us,” Dick said when his partner suggested 
that they go forward, and Master Upton went alone 
to the wheel-house. 

“ We’ve just been finishin’ our supper, sir,” he 
said in a respectful tone. “ Is there anythin’ I 
can get for you ? ” 

“ You may bring me a cup of coffee, and then 
all I’ll ask is that you keep the smack moving at her 
best pace,” Mr. Carter replied, without turning his 
head. 

“ She’s doin’ her best now, sir. A craft of this 
kind can’t make very great speed, an’ that boat of 
yours should be able to run a full two miles to our 
one. 

“ All the same I shall keep on till we have come 
off Quoddy Head, and then we’ll decide what is 
best to be done.” 


THE CRUISE OF THE PHOEBE 359 

“ Quoddy Head ! ” Master Downing exclaimed, 
when Ezra repeated the inspector’s words to his 
partners. “ He’d better keep away from there, for 
Barnes has got too many friends in that section. 
Anyhow, if he’ll give up this fool chase then, I won’t 
feel so bad, for we can pick up a cargo on the way 
back, an’ won’t have wasted sich a terrible long 
time.” 

Four or five times during the night did Ezra go 
to the pilot-house to ask if the officer needed any 
assistance; but was told that the crew of the smack 
need not concern themselves about anything save 
the running of the motor. 

When day dawned, however, the three lobster 
buyers were on deck straining their eyes for some 
signs of the smuggler; but feeling confident that 
he could not be in the vicinity. The smack was 
then off Cross island, at the entrance to Machias 
bay, running within two miles or more of the coast, 
and even as Dick said confidently that there was no 
one nearabout with whom they were concerned, a 
dory, in the bow of which was an upraised oar with 
a white cloth fluttering from the top, put off from 
the shore, heading as if to intercept the Phoebe. 

“ Do you see that craft?” Ezra cried as he ran 
toward the pilot-house. “ It looks as if she wanted 
to speak us ! ” 

Mr. Carter gazed in every direction to make cer- 
tain there was no other boat in sight, and then said 
hesitatingly, as if doubting the wisdom of his own 
judgment: 

“ Perhaps we had better hold up a bit, though 


36 o the cruise OF THE PHOEBE 


I’m thinking it is some fisherman who has lobsters 
to sell, and time is too precious just now to spend 
many minutes on such people.” 

“ He can waste a whole month without lessenin’ 
his chances of catchin’ Eliphalet Barnes,” Tommy 
muttered as Ezra ran below to stop the motor. 
“ The smuggler is so far away by this time that we 
couldn’t catch him with the swiftest craft in Uncle 
Sam’s navy.” 

The speed of the Phoebe decreased until she final- 
ly lay motionless, save for the movement caused 
by the gentle swell, and the inspector fumed and 
chafed because the man in the dory did not row 
faster, much as if Mr. Barnes was so close aboard 
that a detention of five or ten minutes would enable 
him to escape. 

“Well, what’s the matter?” Mr. Carter hailed 
impatiently as soon as it seemed possible he could 
make himself heard by the stranger. “ We’re in 
a hurry, and can’t spend much time here ! ” 

“Is that the smack Phoebe?” the man in the 
dory cried, and Mr. Carter shouted angrily: 

“ It’s just as I thought — he has got lobsters to 
sell I Send her ahead at full speed, an’ see if you 
can make up for the time we’ve fooled away ! ” 

Instead of obeying this command, Ezra hung in 
the wind, and Tommy cried at the full strength of 
his lungs: 

“ This is the Phoebe, all right. What do you 
want? ” 

“ Go ahead, I tell you ! ” Mr. Carter screamed. 


THE CRUISE OF THE PHCEBE 361 

and the man in the dory replied to Tommy’s ques- 
tion by asking: 

“ Have you got one of them ’ere government in- 
spectors aboard ? ” 

Now Mr. Carter began to understand that per- 
haps it would be as well to learn what the stranger 
wanted, and he answered the question by saying: 

“ I’m a government inspector ! ” 

“ The one who’s been chasin’ Eliphalet Barnes? ” 

“Yes; do you know where he is?” 

“ It’s hard to guess that when he’s been out’er your 
sight five minutes; but he wanted me to tell you that 
your power boat was anchored in the cove yonder. 
He’s got through usin’ it, an’ allows that you’d bet- 
ter have an eye on her.” 

Mr. Carter stood silent and motionless while one 
might have counted twenty, and then he cried 
sharply, his face crimsoned with rage: 

“ Send her ahead, you fellows I ” and he swung 
the helm hard down. 

“ Look here ! ” Ezra cried, now showing a bit 
of temper to match that displayed by the inspector. 
“ This craft draws more water than yours, an’ it 
ain’t no ways certain we can get in there without 
cornin’ to grief. You may have the right to call 
on us to do your biddin’ when a criminal is to be 
taken; but you can’t force us to run the risk of 
wreckin’ our own boat. You can go ashore with 
the man who knows where she is ! ” 

Just for an instant it seemed very much as if 
Mr. Carter intended to inflict severe punishment 


362 THE CRUISE OF THE PHCEBE 

upon the lad who had dared to speak so freely, for 
he came aft rapidly, looking anything rather than 
friendly, but before it was possible to reach the 
boys, who stepped closely together as if for mutual 
protection, the man in the dory shouted: 

‘‘ I’ll take the inspector ashore, ’cause the water 
ain’t any of the deepest off the cove.” 

This had the effect of halting the officer, and 
while he stood by the port rail as if undecided what 
it was best to do, Tommy asked shrilly: 

“ Who’s to pay us for the use of this ’ere smack? 
I don’t reckon you allow to use other people’s boats 
in a chase that nobody but a dumb man would have 
started on, without payin’ for ’em, eh?” 

Again it was the man in the boat who averted the 
inspector’s anger, for at that instant he pulled along- 
side, saying as his dory grazed the smack’s hull: 

“ Better jump aboard lively, if you’re cornin’ with 
me, for I haven’t got any time to fool away with 
them as makes a business of chasin’ Eliphalet 
Barnes.” 

At the same instant he held up his hand as if 
expecting one of the lads to seize it in order to 
check the headway of the boat, and when Ezra 
clutched it, he felt in his palm what seemed to be 
a bit of paper. 

“ Take it,” the man said in a half whisper just 
as Mr. Carter was clambering aboard, and in an- 
other instant the dory was off again, while Ezra 
held a missive of some kind in his hand. 

“ Get below quick an’ start the motor, else he 
may be orderin’ one of us to help him run his boat 


THE CRUISE OF THE PHCEBE 363 

back to Marshall’s island,” Tommy whispered as 
he ran swiftly to the pilot-house, and Dick obeyed 
with such promptness that the Phoebe darted ahead 
as if with a leap. 

“What did that man give up?” Dick asked 
curiously when the smack was under way and Ezra 
had followed him into the cuddy lest Mr. Carter 
should hail, remembering that he could not run the 
motor boat alone save at the expense of considerable 
trouble and labor. 

Ezra unfolded the paper, and, with Dick looking 
over his shoulder, read the following which had 
been written in scrawly characters: 

“ I’m willin’ to cry quits from this out with you 
chaps, an’ if you want to run the lobster business 
down this way. I’ll see to it that you don’t have any 
trouble in gettin’ a cargo whenever it’s wanted. 
You needn’t be afraid I’ll ever again try to play 
any low-down tricks on you fellows. 

“ E. Barnes.” 

“Well, say, what do you think of that?” Dick 
cried excitedly as he seized the missive from Ezra’s 
hand and ran at full speed to the pilot-house, re- 
gardless of the fact that the inspector might see 
and hail him. 

“ Give me the wheel while you read that ! ” 
Master Marshall cried when he was with the junior 
partner, and had literally thrust the lad aside, for- 
cing him to take the letter. 

Master Downing was so thoroughly surprised at 
what seemed little less than a direct assault, that he 
obeyed meekly, exclaiming in bewilderment after 


364 THE CRUISE OF THE PHCEBE 

having deciphered the none too legible penmanship: 

“Well, I’ll be jiggered! Now what game do 
you reckon Eliphalet’s up to this time?” 

“ It don’t look to me like any game,” Ezra, who 
had hurriedly followed Dick, said as he entered the 
pilot-house. “ I believe the smuggler thinks we 
gave him a fair deal at Marshalls island, an’ counts 
on makin’ it up to us — ” 

“ Ahoy 1 Ahoy on the Phoebe I ” came from 
over the water, and when Ezra would have turned 
to learn who was hailing. Tommy seized him by 
the shoulder as he cried excitedly: 

“ Don’t look out! On your life don’t look out! 
It’s that bloomin’ inspector, an’ he’s jest come to 
his senses enough to understand that it won’t be very 
much fun to run his power boat alone, so he’s goin’ 
to order one of us back.” 

“ But we won’t go ! ” Dick cried angrily. 

“Of course we won’t,” Tommy said soothingly; 
“ but it’s a heap better to make him believe we 
didn’t hear the hail, than get ourselves in a muss 
by tellin’ him plain out that we’ve fooled ’round 
enough with sich a chump as he’s shown himself 
to be. Don’t look out of the window, an’ if that 
blessed motor will keep on workin’ as it ought’er, 
we’ll soon be where we can’t hear his screeches.” 

“ Ahoy on the Phoebe ! ” came less distinctly 
than before, and Master Downing said as he hung 
over the wheel in a paroxysm of mirth: 

“ Keep it up, you fool inspector ! Keep it up, 
an’ in a couple of minutes we won’t be able to 
hear you, more’s the pity.” Then to his com- 


THE CRUISE OF THE PHGEBE 365 

rades he added, as soon as it was possible to check 
his laughter, “ If he’d gone to work right in the 
first place, he might’er taken Eliphalet home with 
him from Eastport; but he must crawl ’round 
Quoddy Head till he can get a fast motor boat, 
an’ then comes foolin’ up this way thinkin’ Barnes 
is a blind man ! I’ve got no use for them kind of 
inspectors. But what about that letter?” 

“ I think he’s tryin’ to work another game on 
us,” Ezra replied stoutly, and Tommy cried em- 
phatically : 

“ He ain’t fool enough to go about it in such a 
bald-headed way I It won’t take us long to find 
out, though, for we’ll be inside of Quoddy Head 
by noon, an’ then if Barnes is playin’ square we’ll 
get a cargo aboard.” 

To this Dick and Ezra could do no less than 
agree, since it seemed necessary they should con- 
tinue on a northeasterly course unless willing to take 
the chances of coming across Mr. Carter again, 
when they might be forced to lend more assistance 
to the detriment of their own business. 

It was a full hour, however, before they had come 
to an end of discussing the matter, and then Ezra 
went below to prepare the long-delayed breakfast, 
while Tommy Indulged in a yet greater display of 
mirth as he thought of Mr. Carter’s vain efforts to 
stop the Phoebe. 

Before the day was come to an end the young 
lobster buyers had good proof that Mr. Barnes had 
written the letter in good faith. Within half an 
hour after they had come to anchor, at the very 


366 THE CRUISE OF THE PHCEBE 

place where the smack lay while disabled, two dories, 
each carrying a single man, came alongside, loaded 
nearly gunwale deep with lobsters. 

“ We’re allowin’ that you’re tryin’ to pick up 
a cargo,” one of the men said as he made fast to 
the rail. “ Eliphalet allows we ought’er swing our 
trade your way, seein’s you’re willin’ to pay as much 
as the others, an’ I reckon it won’t take sich a dread- 
ful long while to fill that ’ere well, for lobsters 
have been crawlin’ mighty lively these last few 
days.” 

‘‘ We’re payin’ eight cents, an’ allowin’ that 
they’ll run a pound an’ a half apiece,” Tommy be- 
gan, and before he could say any more the fisher- 
man replied: 

“ Set your own price ; but tell us where you left 
that inspector.” 

“ He went ashore at Cross island to get his 
power boat which Mr. Barnes had left for him,” 
Ezra replied. 

“ Eliphalet sent it back from here ; he wasn’t 
sich a fool as to leave a good craft till he’d got to 
the end of his cruise.” 

“Has he been here lately?” Tommy asked 
curiously, and the fisherman replied with a grin: 

“ I reckon you lads better not try to know too 
much. He thinks you are on the square, even 
though you did bring the inspector down on him, 
an’ what he says goes with a good many of us 
down this way, which is why we’re ready to let you 
have our catch whenever you come for it. Barnes 
is a mighty decent neighbor, an’ when it comes to 



ft 


>> 


THREE MORE DORIES 


• • 


EACH LOADED DEEP WITH LOBSTERS 





'4 






i U 







THE CRUISE OF THE PHCEBE 367 

smugglin’, why he ain’t the only one that’s in the 
business, though some of them fool inspectors seem 
to think he’s the whole show. Eliphalet gets a 
good deal laid to his door that don’t belong there, 
as you’ll find out in time.” 

Then, as if believing he had wasted too much 
time in talking, the fisherman began unloading his 
boat, and before the boys could pay for all that 
had been put on board, three more dories came in 
sight, each loaded deep with lobsters. 

Before sunset the Phoebe’s well was so full that 
the partners did not think it advisable to take on 
any more, although they might have purchased five 
or six hundred additional. 

We’ll be back in less’n a week,” Tommy said 
to a fisherman who announced that he was willing 
to clean out his cars if they wanted more. “ Then 
we’ll be glad to get hold of twenty-five hundred.” 

“ You shall have ’em, lad. All we’re askin’ Is 
that you’ll give us as nigh the market price as will 
give you a fair profit, an’ you take what we get, 
for Eliphalet puts it as a favor to him that we deal 
with you.” 

Now what do you think about the letter?” 
Master Downing asked triumphantly when they were 
alone once more with a full cargo aboard. “ This 
Is the biggest lot we’ve ever got, an’ we didn’t spend 
any more time takin’ ’em aboard, with all Mr. Car- 
ter’s foolin’, than if we’d had to dodge In here or 
there pickin’ up forty or fifty at a lick.” 

“ It seems like big luck,” Ezra replied thought- 
fully, “ an’ I’ll be ready to crow if Dick’s father. 


368 THE CRUISE OF THE PHCEBE 


after he has heard the whole story, thinks I didn’t 
do anythin’ so terrible crooked when I let Mr. 
Barnes understand why we had landed on Marshalls 
island.” 

“ The best way to find that out is to go to West- 
bay,” Tommy suggested. 

“ Of course it is,” Ezra said in surprise. 

“ Then weigh anchor, an’ we’ll soon be there.” 

“Want to run all night?” Dick asked sharply, 
and Tommy replied placidly: 

“ That’s my idee. In the first place, we’ll get 
there quicker, an’ then Ezra won’t have so long to 
worry over whether he was right or wrong in givin’ 
Eliphalet an inklin’ of what was on foot. In the 
second place. I’m allowin’ that it’ll be a bit more 
pleasant for us if we run up the coast while it’s 
dark, for then there won’t be so much of a chance 
that we’ll come across the inspector.” 

This last argument was all he needed to reconcile 
Dick to a night’s run, and five minutes later the 
Phoebe was under way, bound for the home port. 

And now, because so many words have been used in 
telling how the firm of Upton, Marshall & Co. came 
into existence, it is necessary to bring this story to 
a close, for both the reader and the writer would 
grow weary long before all the transactions of that 
concern could be set down and read. 

When the boys arrived at Westbay it was to find 
that the price of lobsters had advanced one cent 
per pound, which added very materially to their 
profits, and, what caused yet greater satisfaction, 
was the fact that the government officials had de- 


THE CRUISE OF THE PHCEBE 369 

cided it would be useless to make any charges against 
the crew of the Phoebe because of having brought 
the Chinaman to Portland. It was evident they 
had done so believing it was a sick man who asked 
only the privilege of dying at home, which Mr. 
Barnes had put aboard the smack, and when such 
evidence had been given it was not possible the 
boys could be held. 

The attorney whom Mr. Marshall had engaged, 
sent in a bill for twenty-five dollars, which was so 
much less than the boys had expected they would be 
called upon to pay, that it seemed the merest trifle. 

At least once every two weeks the Phoebe anchored 
inside of Quoddy Head, and others engaged in the 
lobster-buying business failed to understand why it 
was Messrs. Upton, Marshall & Company always 
succeeded in getting a cargo there, even when they 
tried to prevent it by offering to pay more than the 
market price would warrant. 

Throughout the season, until Dick was forced to 
go to college. Master Downing “ drove ” his part- 
ners to the limit of their ability, with the result that 
when the Phoebe was laid up for the winter the 
three lads had paid the full price for her, while 
Ezra and Tommy had as their share of the profits 
a sum of money sufficient to pay all expenses of 
living while they attended school at Westbay. 

It goes without saying that the smack was put 
in most thorough repair during the winter, and next 
spring, so Tommy declares, he and his partners in- 
tend to show the other lobster buyers on the coast 
of Maine, what can be done in the way of business. 


370 THE CRUISE OF THE PHCEBE 


“ An’ then,” Master Downing said emphatically 
to the author, “ I’m hopin’ we’ll run across Eliphalet 
Barnes jest once, for I want to have the chance of 
tellin’ him that if he hadn’t done us sich a good 
turn I wouldn’t be wearin’ store clothes this very 
minute, with good money rattlin’ in the trousers 
pocket.” 


THE END 





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